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OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


\      P     V         T    TT    "    V 

£^ 

"by  B 


JACK   JUNK; 


OR, 


THE  TAR  FOR  ALL  WEATHERS. 


BY  ,HARRY   HAZEL.,  t»«4 

AUTHOR  OF  "OLD  PUT;  OR  THE   DAYS  OF  1776,"  "THE   BRIGAND,    OR  THE  MOUNTAIB 

CHIEF,"   "THE    FLYING    ARTILLERIST,"    "YANKEE    JACK,"  "THE  REBEL    AND  THE 

ROVER,"      "THE    THRKE     PIRATSS,    OR     THE     CRUISE     OF     THE     TORNADO," 

"GALLANT  TOM,"    "RED    KING,  OR  THE  CORSAIR    CHIEFTAIN,"     "SYLVIA 

SEABURY,  OR  THE  YANKEES   IN    JAPAN,"    "THE    FLYING    DUTCHMAN," 

"THE  DOOMED  SHIP,"  "GALLOPING  GUS,"  "  HARRY  HELM,"  "YANKEE 

MIDDY,"    "SWEENY  TODD,"    "THE    GOLD     SEEKERS,"     "RALPH 

KUNNION,"     "VALDEZ,  THE    PIRATE,"     "KING'S     CRUISERS," 

"THE       REBEL       BRIDE,"      "HARRY      TEMPEST,"      "THE 

FLYING  YANKEE,"    "THE  PIRATE'S  SON,"   ETC.,    ETC. 


T.     B.     PETERSON    &     BROTHERS, 

-    306     CHESTNUT     STREET. 


7 


JACK    JUNK: 

OR, 

THE   TAR   FOR   ALL   WEATHERS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

The  First  of  May— The  old  Tar's  Tale— The  Ship  on  Fire— The 
Lovers — Jack  and  his  Rival — The  Fete — The  Interruption. 

IT  was  the  first  of  May,  and  a  more  bright  and  lovely  first  of 
May  never  gladdened  the  children  of  the  earth.  The  sky  was  bril 
liantly  clear,  the  atmosphere  was  light  and  refreshing,  and  a  delight 
ful  breeze  springing  up,  counteracting  the  scorching  heat  of  the  sun's 
rays.  The  scene  at  which  our  tale  commences  was  in  the  vicinity 
of  a  sea-port  town,  and  although  it  was  very  early,  everything  gave 
token  of  some  approaching  festivity.  The  church-bells  were  ringing 
forth  their  merriest  peals,  and  from  the  mast-heads  of  the  different 
vessels  lying  at  anchor,  the  gay  streamers  waved  playfully  in  the 
wind.  In  the  centre  of  a  green  lawn,  and  immediately  before  a 
quaint  old  tavern,  whose  walls  were  thickly  mantled  with  ivy,  the 
May-pole  reared  its  gay  head,  and  gave  cheerful  omen  of  the  happy 
sports  to  which  the  day  was  dedicated.  The  whole  of  the  establish 
ment  at  l<  The  Ship"  were  pressed  into  active  service,  and  Kit 
^reezely,  the  landlord,  urged  his  servants  on  to  increased  industry, 
whistled,  and  sang,  and  laughed  by  turns,  in  a  state  of  the  highest 
glee  and  expectation.  While  Kit  and  his  servants  were  thus  occu 
pied,  they  were  interrupted  by  a  loud  shout  of  "  Ship  a-hoy  !"  uttered 
in  the  voice  of  a  Stentor. 


4  JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

"  That's  old  Joe  Trennant,  for  a  wager,"  said  Kit,  looking  around 
him.  "  I  could  tell  his  voice  from  a  thousand." 

"  Ship  a-hoy  ! — Kit  Breezely  a-hoy  !"  again  shouted  Jie  same  dis 
tinct  voice.  "  Damtne  !  where's  the  skipper  !  Have  ye  all  deserted 

the  ship  ? 

'  My  name  is  Tom  Tough, 
I  have  seen  a  little  sarvice, 

Where  the  mighty  billows ' 

, 

"  Ah !  Kit,  my  old  sea-gull,  give  us  your  fin,  and  then  we'll  splice 
the  main  brace  together ;  and  mind  it  is  not  three  water  grog,  or 
shiver  my  timbers  I'll  toss  you  overboard  in  less  time  than  you  could 
cry  '  pecc.avi.' " 

"  Ah !  Joe,  my  old  friend,  welcome — welcome  to  the  old  Ship  on 
this  glorious  May  morning,"  said  Kit.  "  I  thought  that  you  would 
be  my  first  guest  this  morning,  as  you  are  usually  my  last  at  night." 

"  Ay,  Master  Breezely,"  replied  Joe,  "  I  wouldn't  give  the  value 
of  a  biscuit  for  a  fellow  who  thinks  of  sneaking  to  his  hammock 
till  he  is  quite  seas  over." 

"  And  you  just  be  so  good  as  to  belay  your  palaver,  and  bring  the 
grog  I  ordered,  you  son  of  an  old  shark." 

"  You  shall  have  it  in  a  moment,  Joe,"  said  Kit,  "  for  I  never  like 
to  keep  my  customers  waiting." 

With  these  words  Kit  Breezely  departed,  and  left  old  Joe  Tren 
nant  singing  the  burthen  of  a  sea  song  in  tones  far  more  powerful 
than  musical.  Joe  Trennant  was  a  fine  specimen  of  an  old  naval 
veteran,  with  thin  silvery  hair,  a  rubicund  visage,  and  features  pro- 
.fusely  decorated  with  grog  blossoms.  The  loss  of  one  eye,  one  leg, 
and  one  arm — an  iron  hook  substituted  for  his  hand,  showed  that  he 
had  suffered  much  in  the  service  of  his  country,  and  bore  ample 
evidence  of  the  authenticity  of  the  numerous  tough  yarns  he  was 
accustomed  to  spin  when  surrounded  by  his  old  companions.  A 
merrier  fellow  than  Joe  Trennant  did  not  exist,  or  one  that  was 
more  respected  for  the  generosity,  benevolence,  and  honesty  of  his 
character.  Kit  soon  returned  with  the  grog,  and  he  and  Joe,  hav 
ing  seated  themselves  on  a  bench  outside  the  tavern,  pledged  each 
other  in  bumpers  with  hearty  good  will. 

"  We  shall  have  a  merry  day  of  it,  Kit,  I'll  be  bound,"  said  Joe ; 
"  1  long  for  the  sports  to  begin.  Fill  your  glass,  my  old  buck,  and 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  5 

here's  to  the  health  and  happiness  of  our  May-queen,  the  pretty 
Kate  Markham  !" 

"Ay,  I  will  drink  that  toast  with  all  my  heart,"  said  Kit,  "for  the 
land  cannot  boast  of  a  prettier  or  more  virtuous  girl  than  Kate 
Markham,  the  admiration  of  all  who  know  her,  and  the  pride  and 
comfort  of  her  uncle,  under  whose  protection  she  has  been  ever 
since  she  had  the  misfortune  to  be  deprived  of  her  parents." 

"Yes,  Kit,"  said  Joe,  "Kate  Markham  is  a  craft  that  any  man 
might  be  proud  of,  and  he  will  be  a  happy  fellow  who  is  destined  to  be 
come  her  commander." 

"  And  if  I  am  not  much  mistaken,  that  will  be  no  other  than  our 
young  friend,  Jack  Junk,  one  of  the  trimmest  and  bravest  lads  in 
the  navy." 

"You  may  well  say  that*  Kit,  and  no  one  admires  the  boy  more 
than  I  do,  and  you  know  I  have  known  him  since  his  earliest  child 
hood.  Here's  to  the  health  of  Jack  Junk,  the  pride  of  the  good  and 
gallant  ship  Defiance,  and  may  he  live  some  day  to  become  an  ad 
miral." 

"  Bravo,  Joe,"  responded  his  companion ;  "  here's  to  the  health 
of  Jack  Junk,  the  tar  for  all  weathers,  and  may  he  live  to  be  some 
day  an  admiral." 

"  The  tar  for  all  weathers,"  repeated  Joe,  "  ah,  you  may  well  say 
that ;  fear  is  a  stranger  to  him,  dauntless  in  the  raging  storm,  bold 
as  a  lion  in  the  battle's  heat,  and  merry  as  a  grig  at  all  times;  in 
fact,  for  singing,  laughing,  dancing,  or  fighting,  find  me  another 
that  can  match  him.  Why,  bless  you,  he  was  born  a  sailor,  he  took 
to  salt  water  when  not  half  a  handspike  high,  as  nat'ral  as  his 
mother's  breast.  Kate  Ma-rkham  and  he  love  each  other,  and  I 
trust  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  they  will  be  happily 
spliced." 

"  But  Jack  has  a  rival,  you  know." 

"  What,  that  lubber,  Mark  Stanford  ?"  said  Joe.  "  Bah ! — he  has 
a  pretty  good  stock  of  impudence  to  dare  raise  his  thoughts  towards 
her ;  but  Kate,  I  am  certain,  hates  him,  and  her  uncle  will  give 
no  encouragement  to  his  addresses — so  Jack  Junk  has  nothing  to 
fear  from  him." 

"I  do  not  half  like  that  fellow,  Farmer  Stanford,  as  he  is  com 
monly  called,"  remarked  Kit ;  "  there  is  something  in  the  expression 
of  his  countenance  and  his  manners  that  convinces  me  he  is  a  villain 


6  JACK    JUNK  J    OR, 

at  heart.  He  first  took  up  his  residence  in  this  neighborhood,  you 
know,  about  five  years  ago,  and  no  one  knew  where  he  came  from; 
and  he  has  been  absent,  at  different  periods  during  that  time,  for 
months  together,  and  no  one  could  discover  whither  he  had  gone, 
but  he  always  returned  as  suddenly  as  he  departed  :  this  looks  very 
mysterious  and  suspicious,  in  my  opinion,  to  say  the  least  of  it." 

"  Ay,  ay,"  replied  Joe  ;  "  however,  it  will  not  do  for  him  to  try 
any  of  his  tricks  here,  or  he  will  find  himself  mistaken,  I'll  warrant. 
But  let  us  have  some  more  grog  aboard,  for  I'm  determined  to  be 
merry  to-day,  if  I  never  am  again  in  my  life.  Our  friends  will  soon 
be  here,  no  doubt,  and  then,  hey  for  the  dance  round  the  Maypole  | 
I'll  have  a  dance  round  it  myself,  if  I  break  my  old  wooden  pin  in 
the  job!" 

"  Ha  ! — ha  ! — ha !"  laughed  Kit  Breezely,  and  he  then  made  his 
exit  into  the  house,  in  order  to  bring  a  fresh  supply  of  grog. 

"You  have  often  promised  me,  Joe,"  said  Kit,  on  returning  and 
taking  his  seat,  "  that  you  would  give  me  the  particulars  of  the 
history  of  our  young  friend  Jack,  and  I  confess  I  feel  a  great  curio 
sity  to  hear  it.  He  is  not  the  son  of  the  late  old  Jack  Junk,  whose 
name  he  has  adopted  ?" 

"  Lord  love  ye,  no,"  answered  Joe  Trennant,  "  nor  any  relation 
to  him.  My  Jack,  as  I  call  him — for  he  always  takes  up  his  quar 
ters  with  me,  whenever  he  is  ashore,  since  the  death  of  his  adopted 
father — never  knew  his  parents,  and  it's  a  great  chance  if  he  ever 
will  do  so  now." 
"No!" 

"  No :  but  I  will  tell  you  all  about  it.  You  see,  old  Jack  Junk 
and  I  had  long  been  messmates,  and  we  were  sworn  friends.  It  is 
now  about  twenty-one  years  ago,  that,  when  homeward-bound  from 
the  coast  of  Guinea,  in  the  gallant  ship  Alligator,  seventy-four, 
Captain  Summers,  commander,  (as  brave  an  officer  as  ever  trod 
the  quarter-deck,)  and  for  some  days  we  encountered  very  rough 
weather,  strong  gales  from  N.  N.  E.,  latitude  and  longitude  I  for 
get;  but  at  length  the  wind  went  down,  the  weather  became  more 
calm,  and  our  vessel  made  good  way  on  her  voyage.  It  was  the 
mid-watch,  when  the  man  on  board  suddenly  shouted,  '  Ship  on  fire 
ahead !'  All  hands  immediately  hurried  on  deck,  and  there,  sure 
enough,  we  beheld  the  unfortunate  vessel  at  no  great  distance  ahead 
of  us,  enveloped  in  flames  from  stem  to  stern,  and  we  could  distinctly 


THE    TAR    FOB     ALL    WEATHERS. 


hear  the  shrieks  of  horror  and  despair  of  the  poor  creatures  on  txiard. 
Destruction  seemed  inevitable,  but  we  lost  no  time  in  rendeiing  al1 
the  assistance  in  our  power;  boats  were  launched,  and  myself, 
Jack  Junk,  and  several  more  of  the  crew,  put  off  in  them  to  the 
burning  vessel,  with  the  hope  of  being  enabled  to  save,  at  any  rate, 
some  of  the  unfortunate  creatures.  As  we  approached  nearer,  the 
cries  for  help  became  more  distinct  and  terrific,  and  we  could  plainly 
see  many  of  them  running  about  in  the  midst  of  the  flames  in  the 
most  frantic  state ;  whilst  others  leaped  overboard,  but  only  to  meet 
with  a  watery  grave.  But  the  fatal  moment  now  arrived ;  there 
was  a  terrific  crash ;  the  flames  had  reached  the  powder  magazine, 
and  every  timber  of  the  ill  fated  vessel,  with  all  the  poor  souls  on 
board,  were  hurled  high  in  the  air — and  the  work  of  destruction 
was  complete." 

"  Awful !"  said  Kit;  "but  did  they  all  perish?" 

"  All,  with  the  exception  of  an  infant,  whom,  with  its  mother, 
Jack  and  myself  were  fortuate  enough  to  pick  up,  just  at  the  moment 
when  they  were  about  to  sink  forever.  The  unfortunate  mother 
was  quite  dead,  but  the  infant  lived.  It  was  a  boy — and  need  I 
tell  you  that  that  boy  is  our  favorite,  the  noble-hearted  Jack  Junk, 
who  has  gone  by  that  name  ever  since  ?  On  arriving  in  England, 
^Jack  took  the  infant  home,  and  placed  it  under  the  care  of  his  wife, 
and  from  that  time  till  the  day  of  their  death,  I  need  not  tell  you 
that  they  brought  him  up  with  the  same  care  and  affection  as  if  he 
had  been  their  own  son." 

"Buf  was  the  name  of  the  ill-fated  ship  never  known?"  inquired 
Kit. 

"Wiy,"  answered  Joe  Trennant,  "it  was  supposed  to  be  the 
Mary,  merchantman,  bound  for  Liverpool ;  but  that  was  only  a 
matte?  of  conjecture,  as  nothing  was  saved  from  her  which  could 
remov  t  all  doubt.  The  clothes  of  the  mother  and  her.  infant  were 
of  the  finest  quality,  which  showed,  at  any  rate,  their  connections 
were  respectable ;  but  there  is  not  the  least  probability  of  the  mys 
tery  ever  being  solved  ;  though,  for  the  sake  of  young  Jack,  I  hearti\y 
wish  it  was.  But  see — some  of  our  friends  approach  this  way ! — 
anc  after  this  dismal  story,  it  is  needful  that  we  should  take  some 
lefreshment,  just  to  put  us  in  spirits  for  the  pleasures  of  the  day." 

"  With  all  my  heart,"  said  Kit,  and  several  of  the  guests  then 
Hned  them.  They  gave  thejn  a  hearty  welcome;  and  retired  into 


8  JACK    JUNK  J    OR, 

the  house.  They  had  scarcely  disappeared,  when  a  man  turned 
round  an  abrupt  a/igle  of  the  building,  and,  advancing  towards  the 
Maypole,  he  paused,  and,  folding  his  arms,  contemplated  it  with  a 
sinister  expression  of  countenance.  This  was  Mark  Stanford,  the 
supposed  farmer,  of  whom  Kit  Breezely  and  Joe  Trennant  had 
spoken  in  such  disparaging  terms  ;  and  certainly  his  personal  appear 
ance  fully  corresponded  with  the  portrait  they  had  drawn  of  him. 
He  was  a  man  apparently  between  forty  and  fifty  years  of  age,  tall, 
and  of  muscular  proportions.  His  features  were  large  and  irregular, 
and  his  eye  dark  and  scowling.  He  was  habited  as  a  farmer,  but 
the  character  seemed  but  ill  to  become  him ;  and  it  required  no 
deep  penetration  to  perceive  that  it  was  only  assumed  to  carry  out 
some  deep-laid  design. 

"So,"  he  said,  after  a  pause,  "this  is  the  spot  chosen  for  the 
festivity — and  the  lovely  Kate  Markham,  who  has  so  scornfully 
rejected  my  addresses  in  favor  of  Jack  Junk,  the  seaman,  is  to  be 
the  queen  of  the  day*.  I  will  be  present  at  the  sports,  never  fear, 
though  I  know  that  I  shall  be  most  unwelcome,  and  once  more  feast 
my  eyes  on  her  charms.  She  scorns  me — she  despises  me — she 
hates  me,  I  know;  but  I  care  not;  the  time  shall  yet  come  when 
she  shall  learn  to  feel  and  tremble  at  my  power.  The  fools  in  this 
neighborhood  little  suspect  who  the  supposed  farmer,  Mark  Stan 
ford,  as  I  have  chosen  to  call  myself,  really  is,  and  I  can  therefore 
work  out  my  designs  in  greater  security.  What  would  be  the  horror 
of  Kate  Markham,  did  she  but  know  that  in  me  she  beholds  the 
murderer  of  her  father,  whom  she  supposes  to  have  died  a  natural 
death  at  sea  !  I  cannot  marvel  at  the  instinctive  hatred  she  bears 
towards  me.  But  silence,  Mark! — you  must  be  more  guarded  in 
your  speech,  lest  you  should  be  overheard  by  some  one,  in  which 
case  your  destruction  would  be  inevitable.  Let  me  to  my  home, 
and  prepare  myself  to  join  the  rustic  festival,  and  to  appear  to  enter 
into  all  the  amusements  with  an  hilarity  and  spirit  equal  to  tne 
rest." 

Thus  saying,  Mark  Stanford  hurried  on  his  way,  and  was  soon 
out  of  sight. 

"  This  is  one  of  the  happiest  moments  of  my  life,"  observed  oM 
Joe,  "  and  if  I  do  not  enjoy  myself,   may  I  never  taste  grog  again  : 
My  lads,  here's  to  every  one's  good  health.     Sweethearts  and  wives,- 
old  and  young,  gentle  and  simple  ;  old  Joe  Trennant  does  like  ever)-- 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  9 

body  to  be  happy.     But  I  wish  my  young  friend,  Jack  Junk,    was 
here." 

"Oh,  he  will  soon  arrive,  never  fear,     returned  Ki    Breezely 
"I  suppose  he  is  only  dallying  a  little  while   with  his   sweetheart 
Kate,  which  is  very  natural,  you  know."  .  t 

"  To  be  sure  it  is,"  coincided  Joe  ;  "  oh,  I  cannot  help  picturing 
to  myself  how  beautiful  she  will  look,  to  be  sure,  as  our  May- 
Queen." 

"Kate  Markham  must  look  beautiful  in  any  character,"  observed 

Kit. 

"  The  wind  that  blows,  the  ship  that  goes. 
And  the  lass  that  loves  a  sailor." 

"  There  he  is,  the  young  sea-lion  !"  said  Joe  Trennant.  "  That's 
Jack  Junk,  the  pride  of  the  Defiance,  and  the  darling  of  the  crew ! 
Hurrah  ! — Jack  Junlk,  a-hoy  !" 

"  Joe  Trennant  a-hoy !"  shouted  our  hero,  in  high  glee,  and 
immediately  afterwards  he  entered  the  room,  and  was  received 
with  as  much  enthusiasm  and  cordiality  by  all  present  as  if  he  had 
been  the  admiral  of  the  fleet. 

And  a  fine,  handsome-looking  young  man  was  Joe  Junk,  the  hero 
of  our  tale;  there  was  grace  and  activity  in  every  limb,  and  the 
very  spirit  of  honor,  generosity,  and  good  humor  was  enshrined 
upon  his  manly  brow.  His  fine  black  eyes  sparkled  with  vivacity 
and  intelligence  and  his  hair  hung  in  glossy  ringlets  down  to  his 
shoulders.  The  neatness  of  his  dress  added  to  the  interes4  of  his 
appearance ;  and,  altogether,  he  was  a  person  who,  the  moment 
he  was  seen,  could  not  fail  to  rivet  respect  and  admiration. 

"Thanks,  my  friends,  for  this  kind  reception.  I  greet,  ye  all," 
he  said,  "  but  I  cannot  stay  long  with  you  at  present ;  I  am  afraid 
my  dear  Kate  will  have  expected  me  long  ere  this." 

Jack,  having  shaken  them  all  by  the  hand,  took  his  departure 
on  his  joyous  errand. 

The  sounds  of  approaching  music  and  shouts  of  joy  soon  saluted 
their  ears,  and  old  Joe  started  up  with  the  utmost  hilarity,  and 
exclaimed — 

"  Splice  my  timbers  f  here  they  come,  full  sail.  Weigh  anchor, 
my  lads,  spread  every  stich  of  canvas,  and  let  us  away  to  welcome 
them." 

The  guests  needed  no  second  invitation,  but  all  of  them  issued 


10  JACK    JUNK,    OR, 

from  the  house,  and  the  next  moment  they  beheld  tho  rustic  pro 
cession  approaching  the  scene  of  festivity  to  the  simple  music  of  the 
pipe  and  tabor.  First  came  six  young  rustic  maidens,  clad  in  white, 
strewing  the  path  with  flowers,  as  they  advanced  ;  and  then,  beneath 
a -canopy  of  flowers,  borne  by  six  youthful  mariners,  and  supported 
by  her  lover,  appeared  the  lovely  queen  of  the  festivities,  the  in 
nocent  and  fascinating  Kate  Markham,  attired  in  a  robe  of  white, 
decorated  with  roses,  and  a  tiara  of  May  flowers  encircling  her 
fair  and  expressive  forehead.  The  remainder  of  the  procession 
was  formed  of  the  persons  who  intended  to  take  part  in  the  fes 
tivities,  young  and  old,  all  attired  in  their  holiday  gea'r.  Nothing 
could  exceed  the  beauty  of  the  scene.  But  how  shall  we  describe 
the  dazzling  charms  of  Kate  Markham  ?  so  young  and  innocent ; 
so  modest  and  retiring;  so  smiling  and  so  happy.  She  was  not 
yet  eighteen,  and  to  all  the  artless  playfulness  of  the  girl,  was  uni 
ted  the  calm  grace  and  dignity  of  the  woman.  Her  features  were 
exquisitely  modelled,  and  her  form  was  symmetry  itself — so  light, 
so  airy,  and  so  graceful,  that  the  mind  was  lost  in  admiration 
wherever  she  'appeared.  Not  one  thought  that  angels  need  blush 
to  acknowledge  had  ever  entered  her  breast ;  and  she  was  as  in- 
tr.nsically  pure  as  her  person  was  lovely.  No  wonder  that  Jack 
Junk  felt  himself  the  proudest  and  happiest  of  individuals  in  ex 
istence.  He  would  have  laid  down  his  life  to  serve  her — would 
have  punished  any  one  who  should  have  dared  to  insult  her. — How 
his  heart  palpitated  with  delight  as  he  was  thus  seated  by  her.  side, 
and  beheld  her  the  theme  of  universal  esteem  and  admiration ! 

In  the  midst  of  the  revelry,  Mark  Stanford,  accompanied  by 
another  man,  as  repulsive  in  aspect  as  himself,  made  their  appear 
ance  upon  the  lawn,  and  standing  at  a  corner  of  the  Old  Ship  Tav 
ern,  where  they  were  not  likely  to  be  immediately  observed,  they, 
for  a  while,  contemplated  in  silence  the  joyous  sports  that  were  pro 
ceeding. 

"  She  is  here,  Pierce,"  at  length  said  Mark  Stanford,  pointing  in 
the  direction  Kate  and  her  lover  were  tripping  in  the  dance;  "is 
she  not  very  beautiful  ?  is  she  not  a  being  who  might  move  even  a 
stoic's  heart  to  rapture  and  to  admiration  ?" 

"True,  true,"  replied  Pierce,  "and  a  rare  mate  she  would  be  for 
the  Pirate  Chief,  if  he  could  only  gain  possession  of  her." 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  11 

"Hush!'  said  Mark,  looking  cautiously  around,  "  Farmer  Stan 
ford,  mind  you,  when  I  am  abroad." 

"True,  true,  Farmer  Stanford,"  replied  Pierce,  with  a  half  smile 
and  a  wink  of  the  eye  :  "  but,"  he  added,  in  an  undertone,  "enter 
taining  the  sentiments  you  do  towards  the  lass,  methinks  it  must  be 
rather  vexatious  to  you  to  witness  the  favor  she  bestows  upon  the 
young  sailor,  Jack  Junk,  whom  she  is  now  dancing  with.  I  would 
sacrifice  all  that  I  possess  to  enjoy  the  felicity  lie  is  now  experi 
encing." 

"Hold!  hold!  Pierce,"  said  Stanford,  impatiently,  "your  words 
set  my  brain  on  fire,  and  I  shall  forget  myself.  The  time  will  come 
when  I  will  spoil  the  sports  of  that  stripling,  Jack,  and  he  shall 
know  me  in  my  true  character.  But  at  present  it  is  only  policy  to 
do  the  amiable.  Do  you  understand  me  ?" 

"  Oh  yes,"  answered  his  companion. 

"  Pierce,"  resumed  Mark  Stanford,  after  a  brief  pause,  "  what 
would  be  the  feelings  of  that  now  happy  damsel,  whose  joyous  smiles 
impart  such  pleasure  to  all  here  assembled,  did  she  but  know  the 
real  fate  of  her  father ;  were  she  aware  that  his  murderer  was  so 
near  her  ?" 

"  His  murderer  ?" 

"  Ay,  it  is  even  so ;  you  have  often  heard  me  allude  to  that  sub 
ject,  but  knowing  that  I  can  at  least  confide  in  you,  I  will  relate  to 
f  ou  all  the  particulars.  Her  father,  Horace  Markham,  as  good  a 
*eaman  as  ever  trod  deck,  died  by  fever,  at  sea — ha  !  ha  !  His  wife 
was  my  foster-sister.  I  loved  her ;  she  rejected  me  for  him ;  I 
thirsted  for  revenge,  but  concealed  my  thoughts  and  deceived  them. 
Years  flew  by ;  fortune  smiled  upon  me  while  it  frowned  upon 
Horace  Markham.  I  became  the  master  and  captain  of  a  merchant 
vessel — Horace,  one  of  my  crew,  performing  several  voyages  with 
me,  in  which  I  affected  to  show  him  all  kindness  and  friendship,  but 
at  the  same  time  only  watching  an  opportunity  to  gratify  my  re 
venge.  My  passion  for  his  wife  had  given  place  to  a  feeling  of  in 
veterate  hatred,  but  I  viewed  the  growing  charms  of  her  youthful 
daughter  with  the  warmest  admiration,  and  at  the  same  time  with 
a  firm  determination  that  at  one  time  or  other  she  should  be  mine." 

"  Then,  of  course,  Kate  Markham,  in  her  more  youthful 
knew  you  well  ?"  said  Pierce. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Stanford. 


IS  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

"  And  how  long  is  it  since  the  death  of  her  father  ?"  inquired  hii 
companion. 

"  About  seven  years.  Her  mother  has  been  dead  about  five,  and 
•ince  that  time  she  has  been  under  the  protection  of  her  uncle." 

"  Did  he  ever  see  you  ?" 

"Not  till  1  came  here  in  my  present  character." 

At  this  moment,  Diggory  Knobbs,  the  parish  beadle,  advanced 
and  said — 

"  I  have  the  extreme  felicity  and  distinguished  honor  of  welcoming 
you  to  our  rustic  festival  on  this  glorious  first  of  May.  Allow  me 
to  introduce  you  and  your  friend  to  the  august  presence  of  our  May 
Queen.  She  is  a  rare  specimen  of  nature's  handiwork  ;  it  is  a  pity 
she  should  throw  herself  away  on  a  common  sailor  like  Jack  Junk, 
when  she  is  worthy  of  becoming  the  wife  even  of  a  beadle.  I  be 
lieve,  Mr.  Stanford,  that  Kate  Markham  has  made  some  impression 
upon  your  heart,  and  that  you  made  overtures  for  her  hand,  but  was 
rejected." 

Mark  Stanford  nodded  assent,  and  the  beadle  proceeded — 

"  Well,  well — I  pity  her  want  of  taste  ;  but  young  girls  have 
strange  notions,  of  which  they  may  be  cured  in  time.  For  my  part, 
I  promise  you  all  the  influence  I  possess  over  Kate,  for  I  don't  mind 
telling  you  in  confidence  that  I  detest  that  upstart  boy,  Jack  Junk, 
as  he  is  called." 

"  Indeed  !"  said  Stanford. 

"  Yes,"  answered  the  beadle  ;  "  he  has  never  paid  proper  respect 
to  my  person  and  the  high  office  I  hold." 

''Monstrous!"  exclaimed  Stanford  and  his  companion,  with  mock 
astonishment  and  indignation. 

"  JTis  true,  I  assure  you,  on  the  honor  of  a  parish  beadle  ;  but.ah  ! 
whom  have  we  here  ?  Old  Reuben,  the  wise  man,  looking  as  dismal 
and  as  ominous  as  usual.  What  brings  him  to  this  festive  scene  ? 
Why,  he  is  coming  this  way,  and  as  I  have  a  particular  objection 
10  his  company,  I  will  leave  you." 

The  individual  whom  Mr.  Knobbs  had  mentioned,  advanced 
towards  Mark  Stanford  and  his  companion  with  a  slow  and  mea 
sured  step,  and  when  he  had  arrived  within  a  few  paces*  of  them, 
he  stopped  and  confronted  them.  He  was  a  very  old  man,  of  tall 
and  bony  figure,  attired  in  a  costume  of  a  singular  character.  His 
face  was  swarthy  and  wrinkled,  his  features  sharp  and  irregular,  hig 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  13 

eyes  small, 'but  particularly  penetrating,  and  his  hair,  which  fell  ovei 
his  shoulders,  was  as  white  as  silver.  This  singular  being  resided 
in  a  lonely  habitation,  near  the  sea-side,  and  was  supposed  to  be 
able  to  penetrate  into  the  secrets  of  futurity,  and  for  that  reason 
was  looked  upon  with  a  kind  of  superstitious  awe  by  the  humble 
classes  of  society,  and  by  the  more  respectable  and  intelligent  por 
tion  of  community  w  th  some  degree  of  deference.  Whenever  the 
tempest  raged  the  fiercest,  and  the  ocean  threatened  inevitable 
destruction  to  all  who  were  exposed  to  its  perils,  old  Reuben  was 
to  be  seen  standing  on  the  summit  of  a  lofty  rock  near  his  wretched 
dwelling,  laughing  in  high  glee,  so  that  the  furious  battling  of  the 
elements  and  his  appearance  were  always  considered  as  the  harbin 
gers  of  some  horrid  calamity.  There  he  would  remain  for  hours, 
heedless  of  the  rain,  which  fell  in  torrents,  or  the  wind,  which  howled 
around  him,  and  in  such  moments  as  those  no  one  had  ever  dared 
to  approach  him.  Fixing  his  eyes  upon  Stanford  with  such  earnest 
ness  that  he  quailed  beneath  their  glance,  he  said — 

"  Hugh  Granfield — Hugh  Granfield,  I  greet  you." 

Mark  Stanford,  as  he  called  himself,  started  with  astonishment 
and  alarm  as  he  heard  his  real  name  thus  unexpectedly  mentioned, 
and  gazed  upon  the  old  man  with  feelings  of  the  most  indescribable 
cnaracter,  as  he  demanded — 

«  £) n !  how  is  this  ?     How  do  you  know  my  name  ?     Who 

are  you  ?" 

"  Reuben  of  the  Hovel,"  replied  the  singular  old  man,  "  he  who 
ever  watches  in  the  storm  and  the  calm,  the  darkness  and  the  sun 
shine  ;  whose  mind  never  sleeps — he  who  penetrates  the  thoughts  of 
human  beings,  and  who  is  acquainted  with  all  their  secrets.  You 
have  seen  me  oft  before,  dost  doubt  me,  Hugh  Granfield  ?" 

"  Strange  man,  by  what  means  have  you  become  acquainted  with 
my  name  ?"  demanded  Stanford.  "  Who  are  you  ?" 

"  Have  I  not  lold  you  ?"  replied  Reuben  ;  "  ay,  Hugh  Granfield, 
my  mind's  eye  has  constantly  watched  your  actions  on  the  deep, 
and  in  your  greatest  privacy  on  shore.  Not  a  thought  passes  in 
your  mind,  although  thousands  of  miles  may  separate  us,  that  can 
escape  my  knowledge." 

Mark  Stanford  started,  and  could  not  help  trembling  as  he  gazed 
on  the  wrinkled  countenance  of  the  man  who  thus  addressed  him. 

"  She  is  there  ;"  resumed  Reuben,  in  impressive  accents,  pointing 


14  JACK    JUNK  J    OR, 

towards  the  spot  where  Kate  Markham  was  standing ;  "she  is  there 
Hugh  Granville,  the  beautiful  and  the  innocent ;  she  whose  father's 
blood  was  shed  by  you  :  she  whom  you  would  doom  to  destruction. 
But  mark  me,  assassin !  Kate  Markham,  though  she  and  her  lover 
are  destined  to  receive  many  troubles  at  your  hands,  shall  never 
become  your  victim." 

"  By  all  my  hopes,"  exclaimed  Stanfoid,  "  I  cannot,  will  not,  endure 
this.  I  will  know  more  of  you,  and  by  what  means  you  have  arrived 
at  the  knowledge  you  pretend  to  possess."  g 

"You  will  know  that  soon  enough,  to  your  cost,"  replied  Reuben, 
with  a  derisive  laugh ;  "  the  pirate  farmer  will  in  due  time  be  re 
vealed,  and  his  crimes  denounced  to  the  world." 

"  Croaking  hound,"  exclaimed  Stanford,  "  I  can  endure  this  no 
longer !" 

As  he  thus  spoke,  he  rushed  upon  the  old  man,  but  in  an  instant 
he  was  felled  to  the  earth  by  a  blow  on  the  head  from  the  staff 
which  the  old  man  carried ;  and  when  Pierce,  who  was  lost  in 
astonishment,  raised  hihi  to  his  feet,  Reuben  was  gone. 

"Is  this  some  wild  delusion  ?"  he  ejaculated.  "  Pierce,  heard  you 
what  he  said  ?" 

11  Undoubtedly  I  did,"  replied  the  latter,  "  and  from  the  agitation 
of  your  manner  I  should  imagine  that  he  spoke  the  truth." 

"  Think  you  that  this  awkward  affair  has  been  observed  ?"  asked 
Stanford. 

"  No,"  replied  Pierce ;  "  it's  my  opinion  that  the  persons  assem 
bled  were  too  deeply  engaged  in  their  sports  to  take  notice  of  it." 

"It  is  fortunate  if  they  did  not,"  said  Mark,  "  for  it  might  have 
excited  dangerous  suspicions.  See,  the  proud  and  scornful  beauty 
again  joins  in  the  dance,  and  lavishes  her  attentions  on  my  hated 
rival.  The  sight  inflames  my  brain,  and  urges  me  to  deeds  of  despe 
ration;  but.  my  day  of  triumph  shall  come  ;  Kate  Markham,  you 
shall  yet  be  mine  !  Jack,  Junk,  the  sanguine  hopes  you  now  encour 
age  shall  never  be  realized  ;  and  before  many  weeks  have  elapsed, 
you  and  the  pretended  farmer,  Mark  Stanford,  shall  become  better 
acquainted." 

"  If  what  I  have  heard  be  true,"  said  Pierce,  "  the  Defiance,  to 
which  Jack  belongs,  will  sail  from  this  port  in  a  few  weeks,  and  he, 
as  one  of  the  crew,  must  sail  with  her  and  leave  the  girl  of  his  heart 
behind.  Had  you  not  better  wait  till  she  is  deprived  of  her  protec 


THE    TAE    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  15 

tor,  before  you  endeavor  to  put  your  designs  against  her  into  execu 
tion?" 

"  True,"  coincided  Stanford,  "  but  we  will  talk  further  at  a  future 
time  :  at  present  I  am  all  impatience  to  pay  my  homage  to  the  fair 
Queen  of  May." 

"  Come,  then,"  said  Pierce,  "  and  let  us  join  the  spci-ts ;  and  be 
careful  by  your  conduct  not  to  betray  the  real  thoughts  that  are 
passing  in  your  mind." 

Mark  Stanford  returned  no  answer,  and  they  walked  together 
towards  the  place  where  Kate  and  her  joyous  companions  were  as 
sembled.  Our  hero  and  his  lover  beheld  their  approach  with  no  very 
pleasurable  emotions,  and  Jack,  taking  her  arm,  led  her  to  a  seat, 
and  took  his  place  by  her  side. 

"Would  to  heaven."  .said  Kate,  "  that  tfaat  man,  whom  I  cannot  look 
upon  without  feelings  of  repugnance,  and  instinctive  and  una*ccount- 
able  horror,  had  not  made  his  appearance  here  to-day." 

"  Avast  there,  my  lass,"  replied  Jack.  "  I  own  that  I  dislike  the 
swab  as  much  as  you  can,  for  I  have  reason  to  do  so,  since  he  has 
had  the  presumption  to  attempt  to  supplant  me  in  your  affections, 
and  tc  -aise  a  mutiny  in  your  breast.  But  you  have  nothing  to  fear 
from  the  black-looking  luooer ;  he  will  not  dare  to  insult  you  while 
Jack  Junk  is  by  your  side.  Should  he  do  so,  I  will  throw  my  grap 
pling-irons  upon  him  immediately,  and  he  will  be  glad  to  sheer  off 
as  quick  as  he  can,  I'll  warrant." 

Kate  smiled  upon  him  one  of  her  sweetest  smiles,  and  the  next 
moment  Mark  Stanford  and  his  companion  approached,  and  the 
former,  bending  one  knee  to.  the  earth  with  mock  devotion  and  hu 
mility,  said — 

"  Fair  Queen  of  May  !  beauteous  Kate  Markham,  permit  one  of 
the  humblest  of  your  admirers  to  offer  you  the  sincere  homage  of  his 
heart  on  this  occasion,  and  to " 

"Avast  heaving  there,  mate  !"  interrupted  Jack  ;  "belay  that  pala 
ver,  for  it  neither  suite  my  ears  nor  those  of  my  pretty  Kate.     I  have 
had  enough  of  your  friendship  already." 

Mark  Stanford  arose,  and  fixed  a  look  of  indignation  upon  our 
hero  as  he  replied — 

"  Methinks  that  your  observations  are  rather  abrupt  and  uncalled 
for.  Surely  I  can  offer  no  offence  by  merely  doing  that  which 


16  JACK    JUNK  J    OR; 

everybody  else  present  at  this  rustic  festival  has  been  privileged  to 
do?" 

"  Hark  you,  Mr.  Mark  Stanford,"  returned  Jack.  "  I  am  a  man  of 
few  words,  but  I  am  never  afraid  to  speak  my  mind,  whether  I  of 
fend  or  please.  I  know  very  well,  in  spite  of  the  false  colors  you 
now  hoist,  that  you  bear  us  ill-will.  If  Kate  is  in  want  of  compli 
ments,  I  dare  say  I  can  accommodate  her  to  her  heart's  content,  and 
therefore  she  has  no  occasion  to  come  to  you  for  'em.  I  would  ad 
vise  you  not  to  come  athwart  my  hawser,  or  you  will  find  Jack  Junk 
an  awkward  customer  to  deal  with." 

"  Indeed  !"  said  Stanford,  with  a  bitter  sneer,  "  I  do  not  doubt  the 
bravery  of  Jack  Junk,  but  I  utterly  despise  his  threats.  You  have 
not  a  foolish,  headstrong  boy  to  deal  with,  which  you  may  some  day 
discover  to  your  cost." 

"  Mr.  Stanford,"  remonstrated  Kate,  who  was  alarmed  at  the 
warmth  of  her  lover,  and  the  threats  which  were  conveyed  in  the 
observations  of  his  rival,  "I  beg  you  to  desist ;  the  sentiments  of 
Kate  Markham  can  never  change,  and  she  possesses  too  proud  and 
candid  a  spirit  to  seek  for  a  moment  to  conceal  them." 

Stanford  bit  his  lips  and  frowned,  while  Kate  averted  her  looks 
with  a  feeling  of  disgust. 

"  If  that  fellow  is  not  an  arrant  scoundrel  at  heart,"  said  Jack, 
when  Stanford  was  gone,  "  I  am  much  mistaken." 

"Dear  Jack,"  said  Kate,  "I  wish  you  to  avoid  coming  into  colli 
sion  with  him  as  much  as  possible.  There  is  a  mystery  about  him 
which  excites  my  suspicion,  and  I  am  strongly  inclined  to  believe 
he  is  not  what  he  represents  himself  to  be." 

"  Why,  for  the  matter  of  that,  my  lass,"  replied  her  lover,  "  I  am 
strangely  inclined  to  be  of  your  opinion  ;  but  whoever  he  is,  I  care 
not ;  and  as  for  his  threats,  I  heed  them  no  more  than  a  puddle  in  a 
tempest.  But  come,  my  sweet  Kate,  let  us  join  our  friends  in  the 
sports  of  the  day." 

Kate  smiled  her  assent,  and  her  lover  entered  with  the  greatest 
spirit  into  the  lively  pleasures  of  the  dance.  Evening  came,  and 
still  the  revels  were  gay  as  ever,  and  seldom  had  Kate  Markham 
and  her  lover  felt  more  happy  than  now.  It  happened  that  our 
hero  had  occasion  to  retire  into  the  house  for  a  moment,  and  left 
Kate  in  the  company  of  two  of  her  female  friends,  never  for  a  mo 
ment  imagining  that  any  harm  could  occur  to  her  in  such  a  place 


PORTRAIT    OF    HUGH,    THE    PIBATK. 


\ 


THK    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  19 

Something  attracted  the  attention  of  her  friends,  they  suddenly  left 
her,  and  she  found  herself  alone.  She  was  about  to  join  a  party 
of  the  festive  company,  in  another  part  of  the  lawn,  when  she  was 
surprised  and  alarmed  on  finding  her  arm  grasped  rudely  by  some 
person  behind,  and  looking  round  she  beheld  Mark  Stanford. 

"  Fair  Kate,"  said  he,  in  assumed  accents  of  respect  and  admira 
tion,  "  be  not  alarmed,  nor  look  so  scornfully  upon  me.  Surely 
there  is  nothing  so  particularly  revolting  in  my  appearance  as  to 
cause  this  feeling.  Allow  me  the  happiness  of  a  few  moments'  pri 
vate  conversation  with  you,  while  my  rival  is  away." 

"  Unhand  me,  Mr.  Stanford,  I  command  you,"  said  Kate,  with  a 
look  of  resentment ;  "  this  boldness  is  unpardonable.  You  already 
know  my  sentiments,  and  why  do  you  persist  in  annoying  me  ?" 

"  Kate  Markham,"  returned  Stanford,  "  I  can  endure  anything 
but  your  scorn  ;  I  love  you  with  all  the  fervor  of  intense  passion ; 
am  prepared  to  idolize  you,  to " 

"Hold,  sir,"  interrupted  Kate;  "release  me,  or  dread  the  conse 
quences." 

She  struggled  violently,  as  she  thus  spoke,  to  release  herself. 

"Nay,  beauteous  Kate  Markham,"  said  Stanford,  "your  resistance 
does  but  increase  my  determination,  and  I  will  not  resign  the  op 
portunity  I  now  have,  of  repealing  the  real  thoughts  and  feelings  I 
entertain  towards  you,  let  the  consequences  be  whate  <*er  they  may. 
But  why  thus  scorn  me  ?  I  have  the  means  to  make  you  independ 
ent — I  make  no  empty  boast,  for  Mark  Stanford  is  not  the  humble 
individual  he  appears  to  be.  I  offer  you  a  heart  that  nothing  can 
ever  change — I  lay  my  fortune  at  your  feet,  and " 

"Villain  !"  cried  the  disgusted  damsel,  "  I  will  no  longer  listen  to 
you.  Detain  me  not,  or  you  will  have  cause  to  repent.  Help !  oh, 
help!" 

"  Silence !"  cried  Stanford,  still  retaining  his  hold,  and  endeavor 
ing  to  imprint  a  kiss  upon  her  lips  ;  but  Kate  screamed  louder  than 
oefore,  and  Stanford,  with  an  oath,  released  his  hold,  and  was  flying 
from  the  spot,  when  he  saw  Jack  Junk  approaching  that  wav,  and 
found  it  would  be  quite  useless  to  attempt  to  avoid  him.  Kate  was 
so  overcome  by  terror,  that  for  a  moment  she  was  unable  to  move 
and  could  with  difficulty  keep  herself  from  fainting.  The  enraged 
seaman  darted  upon  Stanford,  and  grasping  him  by  the  collar 
said — 


80  JACK    JUNK  ;    OB, 

".Why,  you  infernal  swab !  you  confounded  old  pirate  !  and  so  you 
have  the  daring  to  bear  down  upon  the  fair  craft  during  the  absence 
of  her  commander  ?  Now,  shiver  my  timbers,  if  I  haven't  as  good 
a  mind  to  scuttle  your  figure-head,  as  ever  I  had  to  drink  my  allow 
ance  of  grog.  But  this  time  I  will  suffer  you  to  escape,  but  as  sure 
as  my  name's  Jack  Junk,  if  ever  I  catch  you  on  my  track  again,  I 
will  give  you  such  a  thrashing  as  you  will  never  forget  as  long  as 
you  live." 

Thus  saying,  our  hero  thrust  him  from  him,  and  Mark  Stanford 
staggered  and  fell  to  the  earth,  but  was  quickly  on  his  feet  again, 
and  foaming  with  rage,  was  about  to  spring  upon  his  youthful  rival, 
when  Kate,  with  a  loud  cry,  rushed  into  the  arms  of  her  lover,  and 
thus  prevented  the  consequences  which  in  all  probability  would  have 
taken  place. 

"  Oh,  forbear,  forbear,  I  implore  you,"  she  said,  addressing  herself 
to  our  hero,  "  and  suffer  him  to  depart." 

"  The  rascally  pirate,"  said  the  bra.ve  young  seaman,  fixing  upon 
Mark  Stanford  a  look  of  the  utmost  indignation  ;  "  he  dare  to  insult 
my  Kate — my  innocent  Kate !  I  could  kill  the  lubber  for  his  inso 
lence.  Sheer  off,  ye  infernal  swab;  but  if  I  ever  catch  you  at  the 
vsame.game  again,' may  I  never  go  aloft  again  if  I  do  not  send  you 
to  the  devil  in  less  time  than  the  bo'sun  could  pipe  all  hands." 

"  Jack,  Jack,"  said  Stanford  with  a  terrible  frown,  "  for  the  pres 
ent  you  may  seem  to  triumph,  but  my  day  will  come  at  last,  and 
then  you  shall  have  bitter  cause  to  repent  the  business  of  this  night. 
From  this  moment  I  am  your  deadly  enemy,  and  tremble  at  the 
power  I  possess,  which  you  little  suspect." 

"  Let  me  go,  Kate,"  said  her  lover;  "am  I  thus  to  listen,  without 
resenting  them,  to  the  insults  and  threats  of  this  daring  scoundrel  ?" 

"  Oh,  heed  them  not,  dear  Jack,"  she  said  ;  "  he  means  not  what  he 
says.  Mr.  Stanford,  I  beg  of  you  not  to  provoke  this  quarrel  fur 
ther,  or  the  consequences  may  be'  fatal.  You  must  acknowledge, 
if  you  are  not  quite  insensible  to  every  feeling  of  truth  and  honor, 
that  you  alone  are  to  blame." 

"Oh,  of  course,"  returned  Stanford,  with  a  sneer,  "but  I  go; 
though  I  promise  you  once  more,  that  the  time  will  come  when  we 
•hall  meet  again  under  very  different  circumstances  to  the  present." 

As  he  thus  spoke,  he  shook  his  fist  menacingly  at  Jack  Junk,  and 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  21 

nurried  from  the  spot ;  Kate  being  greatly  relieved  after  he  had 
taken  his  departure. 

The  farm  which  Mark  Stanford,  or  rather  Hugh  Granville,  occu 
pied  was  a  very  respectable  one,  and  he  was  looked  upon  as  a  pros 
perous  man  ;  though  his  reserved  and  repulsive  manners  gained  him 
but  few  friends  and  acquaintances  in  the  neighborhood,  and  for  his 
part,  he  did  not  appear  at  all  anxious  to  cultivate  that  of  any  one 
except  the  uncle  of  Kate  Markham,  and  his  motives  for  that  need 
ao  explanation.  There  was  one  part  of  the  farm,  however,  which 
none  but  those  in  the  confidence  of  Stanford  were  ever  allowed  to 
enter,  and  which  had  a  secret  entrance,  known  only  to  a  select  few. 
This  was  at  the  back  of  the  house,  and  consisted  of  two  or  three 
spacious  apartments  of  an  ancient  description,  and  which  were  fur 
nished  in  a  manner  so  as  to  afford  accommodauon  to  several  indi 
viduals.  They  were  all  situated  upon  the  ground  floor,  and  it  had 
often  been  whispered  among  the  servants-  that  they  had  frequently 
heard  strange  noises  mingled  with  the  voices  of  men,  proceed  from 
those  rooms,  though  who  the  men  where,  Tvhat  they  met  for  in  so 
secret  a  manner,  and  where  they  came  from,  they  could  not  form  the 
slightest  conjecture.  This  circumstance  caused  no  little  surprise 
among  the  servants,  but  they,  fearful  of  offending  their  master,  never 
on  any  occasion  ventured  to  breathe  a  sentence  of  it  abroad,  so  that 
no  person  in  the  neighborhood  knew  anything  of  it.  On  the  night 
of  the  festival,  after  that  which  had  taken  place  between  him  and 
Jack,  Stanford,  muttering  curses  to  himself,  and  vowing  vengeance 
against  his  rival,  quickly  bent  his  steps  towards  home,  and  on  ar 
riving  there  he  walked  round  to  the  back  of  the  house,  and  passing 
through  a  low  gate,  he  stopped  at  one  corner  of  the  building,  took 
a  key  from  his  pocket,  and  after  raking  a  second  or  two  among  the 
ivy  he  applied  it  to  the  lock,  and  a  door  in  the  wall  opened  and  re 
vealed  a  dark,  narrow  passage.  He,  after  traversing  two  or  three 
apartments,  all  of  which  were  furnished,  and  well  supplied  with 
fire-arms  and  swords,  came  to  the  door  of  one,  from  the  crevices 
of  which  lights  might  be  seen  to  issue,  and  the  voices  of  men  in 
earnest  conversation  might  be  heard.  This  door  was  locked  on  the 
inside,  but  Stanford  having  knocked  three  times,  the  voices  ceased, 
and  some  one  from  within  demanded  who  was  there  ? 

"  Way,  who  should  it  be  but  me  ?"  replied  Stanford. 

The  door  was  immediately  opened  by  a  rough  looking  man,  and 


22  JACK  ;*UNK  ;  on, 

Stanford  entered  the  roonr  which  was  furnished  in  a  similar  man- 
ner  to  the  rest,  and  contained  about  half  a  dozen  men  of  the  most 
repulsive  aspects,  and  who  arose  from  the  tables  at  which  they  were 
seated  on  his  entrance  and  welcomed  him.  Stanford  took  a  seat, 
and  hastily  swallowed  a  glass  of  wine. 

"  You  are  late,  master,"  said  Pierce,  for  he  was  one  of  the  party  • 
"  and  do  not  seem  to  be  over  well  pleased." 

"No,  confound  it,"  replied  Stanford;  "but  it  is  no  more  than  1 
expected,  as  I  told  you  to-day.  The  girl  is  as  cold  as  ice,  and  as 
proud  as  an  empress ;  and  as  for  Jack  Junk,  he  holds  complete 
dominion  over  her,  and  sets  every  one  at  defiance.  Perhaps  he 
would  alter  his  tale  if  he  only  knew  who  I  really  am,  and  that  far- 
mcr  Stanford,  as  he  is  supposed  to  be,  has  a  gallant  vessel  at  his 
ccmmand,  and  as  daring  a  crew  to  serve  under  him,  as  ever  braved 
the  perils  of  the  deep." 

"  True,  captain,"  said  Pierce ;  "  the  Raven  is  no  cockle-shell, 
and  has  weathered  many  a  storm,  and  triumphed  in  many  hundreds 
of  engagements.  But  how  did  you  succeed." 

"  Why,  I  contrived  to  force  my  conversation  upon  Kate  during 
the  temporary  absence  of  Jack,"  answered  Stanford  :  "but  listen." 

He  then  recapitulated  that  with  which  the  reader  is  already  made 
acquainted. 

The  real  character  of  the  pretended  Mark  Stanford,  the  farmer, 
we  imagine,  has  been  sufficiently  explained  to  the  reader.  He  was 
the  atrocious  and  dauntless  captain  of  the  pirate  vessel,  the  Haven, 
who  for  so  many  years  had  been,  with  his  ferocious  crew,  who  'i-ever 
were  known  to  show  the  least  mercy  to  those  whom  they  over 
powered  ;  the  terror  of  the  ocean,  and  who  seemed  to  set  dete  -.tion 
and  defeat  at  defiance,  notwithstanding  all  the  efforts  that  had  been 
made,  and  the  stratagems  that  were  formed,  to  overpower  them. 
His  crew,  which  was  numerous,  consisted  of  ruffians  of  the  most 
savage  and  desperate  character,  of  several  nations.  English,  Spanish, 
and  Portuguese,  wretches  who  were  ready  for  the  perpetration  ot 
any  crime,  and  who  dared  not  murmur  at  his  commands,  whatever 
they  might  be.  So  extraordinary  and  unacountable  were  the  pro 
ceedings  of  these  pirates,  and  they  appeared  so  suddenly,  and  in 
different  places,  far  apart  from  each  other,  when  least  expected, 
that  many  were  half  inclined  to  believe  their  captain  to  possess 
supernatural  power,  which  rendered  him  unconquerable,  and  they 


TEE    TAR    FOR     ALL    WEATHEtfc  it 

eould  not,  in  spite  of  themselves,  help  looking  upon  him  with  feel 
ings  amounting  to  awe  and  dread.  Such  were  the  schemes  he 
had  to  metamorphose  the  appearance  of  his  vessel,  and  his  own 
person,  when  he  chose  to  put  into  any  port  or  harbor,  that  not 
the  slightest  suspicion  could  be  excited,  and  thus  he  escaped  with 
impunity.  As  captain  Sinclair,  of  the  Enterprise,  he  was  looked 
upon  with  the  utmost  respect  when  on  shore,  and  received  into  the 
most  fashionable  society,  and  when  alone,  and  he  had  re-assumed 
his  disguise  as  Mark  Stanford,  he  would  laugh  in  exultation  at 
the  manner  in  which  he  was  enabled  to  deceive  so  many,  and 
the  surprise  and  terror  which  his  numerous  deeds  had  excited. 
Another  advantage  he  gained  by  those  disguises,  was  to  become  ac 
quainted  with  the  numerous  plans  that  were  formed  to  detect  him 
and  to  crush  his  power,  so  that  he  was  ever  enabled  to  frustrate  them, 
ind  laugh  his  enemies  to  scorn  ;  and  thus  it  was  that  there  seemed 
not  to  be  the  least  chance  of  the  daring  career  of  the  wild  Ravec. 
Seas  being  speedily  brought  to  a  close. 


34  JACK    JUNK  '    Oft 


CHAPTER  II, 

Kate  and  her  Lover — Melancholy  Intelligence — A  Sailor's 

and  a  Sailor's  Courage — The  parting  of  Lovers — The  sailing 
of  the  Fleet— The  Storm. 

IT  was  about  a  week  after  the  events  which  we  have  related, 
that  our  hero  and  Kate  were  seated  on  a  bench  beneath  the  honey- 
suckled  casement  of  her  uncle's  dwelling,  and  from  whence  Was 
commanded  an  uninterrupted  view  of  the  ocean,  and  the  various 
stately  vessels  in  the  harbor.  It  was  a  lovely  day,  and  the  sight 
was  animated  in  the  extreme.  Our  hero's  arm  encircled  the  slender 
waist  of  Kate;  her  delicate  hand  was  locked  in  his ;  and,  while  she 
gazed,  with  a  melancholy  expression  of  the  most  devoted  affection, 
into  his  fine,  handsome,  and  manly  countenance,  tears,  which  she 
could  not  restrain,  dimmed  the  lustre  of  her  sparkling  eye,  and  sighs 
frequently  agitated  her  gentle  bosom.  The  countenance  of  Jack, 
too,  although  he  exerted  himself  to  the  utmost  to  stifle  his  feelings, 
was  sad,  and  it  needed  no  keen  penetration  that  something  had 
occurred  to  interrupt  their  happiness,  and  to  fill  thein  minds,  which 
lately  had  been  so  cheerful,  with  dismal  forebodings.  There  had 
been  a  slight  pause  in  their  conversation ;  but  our  hero,  after  a  mo 
mentary  struggle  with  his  feelings,  now  spoke. 

"  Kate,  my  dear  girl,"  he  said,  "this  sudden  order  for  the  sailing 
of  the  fleet  is  rather  unexpected ;  but  a  true  seaman  is  ready  at  any 
time  when  he  is  called  upon  by  his  country,  and  never  flinches  from 
his  duty,  however  painful  it  may  be  for  him  to  leave  those  he  loves 
so  dearly  behind  him.  Come,  my  lovely  Kate,  dry  your  tears,  and 
once  more  wear  those  smiles  of  cheerfulness  with  which  you  are 
wont  to  gladden  those  who  know  you — and  I  trust,  with  the  blessing 
of  the  Great  Commander  above,  our  separation  will  not  be  for 
Jong" 


THE    TAR    FOE    ALL    WEATHERS.  25 

'*  Alas !"  sighed  Kate,  and  her  tears  flowed  faster  than  before, 
"it  may  be  for  ever!" 

"  Oh,  say  not  so,  my  sweet  Kate,"  returned  her  lover,  imprinting 
an  affectionate  kiss  upon  her  fair  cheek ;  "  I  have  hitherto  escaped 
unharmed  from  many  a  danger,  and  why  should  you  now  despair?" 

"  Oh,  why  should  the  wide  and  perilous  ocean  separate  two  hearts 
that  are  so  fondly  devoted  to  each  other  ?"  said  Kate. 

"  To  render  their  happiness,  at  being  again  united,  the  more  pure 
and  exquisite,  my  love,"  replied  Jack.  "  Now,  Kate,  I'll  tell  you 
what  it  is  ;  if  you  continue  to  give  way  to  this  violent  grief,  you  will 
reduce  me  to  the  weakness  of  a  powder-monkey — and  I  know  my 
Kate  possesses  too  much  spirit  to  wish  to  do  that.  Come,  come — 
no  more  crying,  lass,  but  let  us  be  merry." 

"  But  when  you  are  gone,  dear  Jack,"  again  sighed  the  damsel, 
|C  to  what  insults  may  I  not  be  exposed,  from  the  boldness  of  that 
man  whom  I  so  much  abhor — Farmer  Stanford  !" 

"  He  dare  not  insult  you,"  said  Jack,  "  the  u'gly-looking  shark ! 
if  I  thought  he  would,  I  would  settle  his  business  in  less  time  than 
I  could  crack  a  biscuit.  But,  Kate,  now  that  the  day  when  we 
must  once  more  part  is  fast  approaching,  there  is  one  question  that 
I  would  ask  you,  and  I  feel  convinced  that  you  will  return  me  a 
candid  and  satisfactory  answer." 

"  What  is  it,  dear  Jack  ?"  inquired  the  lovely  Kate  Markham, 
eagerly. 

"  Will  neither  absence,  time,  nor  circumstances,  dear  Kate," 
replied  her  lover,  "change  the  sentiments  you  now  so  fondly,  so 
fervently  avow  towards  me  ?  May  I,  when  I  once  more  return  to 
my  native  land,  shall  I  again  be  welcomed  by  those  radiant  smiles 
which  have  ever  illumined  my  soul  with  hope  and  happiness?" 

"  And  can  you,  do  you  doubt  me,  Jack  ?"  said  Kate,  with  a  look 
of  gentle  reproach;  "do  you  indeed  doubt  my  fidelity,  and  believe 
that  any  circumstance  whatever  can  ever  alter  the  sentiments 
which  my  heart  so  fondly  encourages  for  you  alone  ?  Dear  Jack, 
how  dreary  to  me  will  be  the  time  when  you  are  absent  from  me , 
how  constant  and  fervent  will  be  the  prayers  for  your  safety  and 
welfare;  with  what  torturing  anxiety  shall  I  look  for  your  return; 
and  when  that  time  shall  providentially  arrive,  oh,  who  will  be  half 
so  happy  as  Kate  Markham  ?" 

"  Bless  you !  bless  you,  my  Kate  !"  cried  her  lover,  clasping  her 


26  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

rapturously  to  his  bosom.  "  But  hark '  did  you  not  hear  a  voice  ?" 
Kate  did  indeed  hear  a  muttering  sound,  which  seemed  to  pro 
ceed  from  a  cluster  of  trees  at  one  corner  of  the  house.  Gradually 
it  became  more  distinct,  and  their  ears  were  then  saluted  by  the 
following  remarkable  words,  spoken  in  a  solemn  voice : 

"  There  is  trouble  for  ye, 

Both  on  land  and  at  sea ; 
Youth  and  maiden,  deride  not  the  warning ! 

Oh,  dreary  the  night 

That  shall  on  ye  alight, 
Ere  the  morn  of  your  bliss  shall  be  dawning !" 

Kate  Markham  clung  to  her  lover  with  terror,  and  they  both 
looked  towards  the  spot  from  whence  the  sounds  seemed  to  proceed, 
in  astonishment,  but  no  human  being  met  their  gaze,  and  all  was 
now  again  silent. 

"  Be  not  alarmed,  dear  Kate,"  said  our  hero,  "  it's  only  some 
harum-scarum  lubber  or  another,  who  wishes  to  have  a  joke  at  our 
expense.  What,  ho !  there,  messmate !  all  fair  and  above-board  is 
the  maxim  of  Jack  Junk ;  so  if  you  are  an  honest  craft,  let's  look 
at  your  figure-head  !" 

No  answer  was  returned  to  this — and  the  fears  of  Kate  increased. 

"  What !"  cried  Jack,  in  louder  accents ;  "  what !  are  you  ashamed 
of  your  colors  ? — some  infernal  pirate's  cruising  off  this  coast,  may 
hap.  Be  not  alarmed,  Kate ;  lay  by  a  moment,  and  I  will  be  along 
side  of  him  in  no  time  !" 

Kate  timidly  resumed  her  seat,  and  our  hero  darted  hastily  in 
among  the  cluster  of  trees,  and  looked  anxiously  in  every  direction, 
but  as  far  as  his  eye  could  stretch,  he  could  not  behold  a  human 
being,  and  he  returned  to  Kate  in  a  state  of  the  most  inconceivable 
surprise  and  bewilderment. 

"  Well,"  he  said,  "  this  is  one  of  the  most  singular  adventures 
that  I  ever  met  with.  Who  could  the  fellow  be,  and  where  could 
he  have  gone  to  ?"  « 

"His  words  alarm  me,  dear  Jack,"  said  the  damsel ;  ''did  you 
not  notice  their  singular  and  mysterious  import  ?" 

"  Yes,  they  were  remarkable  enough,  Kate,"  answered  our  hero ; 
*  but  they  were  hardly  worth  notice :  witches  or  wizards  do  not 
trouble  the  earth  in  these  days  such  yarns  may  do  very  well  to 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  27 

gull  the  land-lubber  with,  but  no  person  of  common  sense  will  take 
any  heed  to  them.  Think  no  more  about  it ;  and  see,  just  in  good 
time,  comes  my  honest  friend  and  patron,  Joe  Trennant,  making 
full  sail  towards  us  as  fast  as  his  old  timber  toe'will  let  him." 

"  Jack  Junk,  ahoy  ! — the  Kate  Markham,  ahoy  !"  shouted  the 
old  veteran,  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  as  he  had  hobbled  towards  them ; 
"yard-arm  and  yard-arm,  my  lad  and  lass;  where  are  all  our  mess 
mates  ?  why  don't  they  man  the  yards,  and  give  three  cheers  for 
Jack  Junk,  Kate  Markham,  and  the  navy  ?  Steady,  Joe — steady 
she  goes.  All  right !  Jack,  my  lad,  your  fin  ;  Kate  Markham,  my 
dainty  lass,  my  best  service  to  you :  upon  my  soul,  you  look  prettier 
than  ever !  if  it's  not  enough  to  do  an  old  fellow's  heart  like  mine 
good  to  gaze  at  you;  and  if  it  was  not  that  I  am  afraid  that  Jack 
would  be  jealous,  the  young  dog,  I  would  steal  a  kiss  from  that 
blushing  cheek,  as  true  as  my  name's  Joe  Trennant." 

Jack  laughed  heartily  at  the  old  man's  humor,  and  Kate  smiled : 
and,  after  they  had  both  welcomed  him,  he  took  a  seat  on  the  bench 
by  the  side  of  the  young  seaman. 

"  So,  Jack,  my'lad,"  he  said,  after  a  pause,  "  in  two  days  more 
you  again  quit  old  England's  shores.  Oh,  I  wish  this  old  hulk  of 
mine  was  in  proper  trim,  wouldn't  I  be  one  amongst  ye  ?  But  I  say, 
Jack,  I  have  a  word  or  two  to  say  to  you." 

"  And  what  is  that,  my  friend  ?"  asked  the  young  seaman. 

"  Why,  in  the  first  place,"  replied  Joe,  "  this  is  the  anniversary 
of  the  day  when  my  late  messmate,  poor  Jack  Junk,  and  myself, 
saved  you  from  an  untimely  death.  It  was  a  fortunate  thing — and 
Jack  used  to  say,  that  everything  seemed  to  prosper  with  him  after 
he  had  taken  you  under  his  protection — and  I  believe  it  did." 

"  To  that  good  old  man,"  said  Jack,  fervently,  "  my  lasting  grati 
tude  is  due,  and  I  must  ever  cherish  his  memory  as  I  do  my  own 
life  :  may  the  Almighty  rest  his  soul  in  peace  !  Would  to  God  that 
the  life  of  her  who  was  doubtless  my  mother,  could  also  have  been 
preserved  !" 

"  Yes,"  returned  Joe ;  "  it  was  an  unfortunate  job,  poor  creature." 

"  And  did  you  find  nothing  upon  her  which  might  lead  to  a  dis 
covery  as  to  who  she  was  ?"  asked  Kate. 

"No,"  answered  Joe  Trennant;  "but  I  am  certain,  from  her 
appearance,  that  she  was  of  no  mean  station  of  life.  But  there  if 


28  JACK    JUNK       OR, 

one  thing  I  wish  .particularly  to  impart  to  you  on  this  occasion, 
Jack." 

"Proceed,"  said  our  hero;  "I  am  all  attention."     ,«. 

"  On  the  death  of  him  who  adopted  you  as  his  son,"  continued 
Joe,  "  he  entrusted  to  my  care  a  locket  containing  a  portion  of  hair, 
and  the  miniature  likeness  of  a  gentleman  which  he  said  he  himself 
found  suspended  from  your  neck.  This  he  desired  me  to  deliver 
to  you  on  the  twenty-first  anniversary  of  the  day  on  which  you 
were  saved,  and  not  before ;  he  also  requested  me  to  enjoin  you  to 
take  particular  care  of  it,  as  it  might,  at  some  future  period,  not 
improbably  lead  to  a  discovery  as  to  whom  your  parents  were." 

Jack  took  the  locket,  and,  after  gazing  steadfasUy  at  it  for  a  few 
moments,  said — 

"  I  will  treasure  this  as  I  would  my  own  life,  although  I  fear  that 
there  is  little  probability,  after  the  lapse  of  so  many  years,  of  my 
ever  being  able  to  discover  my  origin." 

"  Why,  as  for  that  matter,  my  boy,"  said  Joe,  "  I  do  not  know. 
Many  more  improbable  things  than  that  have  happened.  But,  at 
any  rate,  should  that  be  the  case,  and  I  should  be  living,  there  would 
be  no  difficulty  in  proving  your  identity.  Who  knows  but  the  time 
may  come,  when  Jack  Junk,  the  tar  for  all  weathers,  may. prove  to 
be  a  gentleman  ?  Splice  my  timbers  !  wouldn't  that  prove  a  glorious 
day  for  the  British  Navy  ?  What  a  jollification  we  would  have, 
to  be  sure  !  It  makes  me  feel  quite  young  again  at  the  thought ; 
and  damme,  if  I  do  not  think,  even  old  cripple  as  I  am,  that  on  such 
an  occasion  I  could  dance  as  well  and  as  merrily  as  the  best  of  'em ! 
But,  Kate,  my  lass,  you  look  as  dull  as  a  tar  without  flip,  again : 
never  despair.  Jack  will  return  safe,  loaded  with  honor  and  brim 
ful  of  love ;  and  who  knows  but  that  the  village  bells  may  shortly 
afterwards  be  ringing  a  merry  peal  for  your  wedding  ?" 

"  Never !"  said  a  loud  and  coarse  voice,  which  seemed  to  pro 
ceed  from  the  same  spot  as  the  singular  warning  they  had  received 
a  short  time  before. 

"  Holloa !"  cried  Joe  Trennant,  starting  up,  and  gazing  in  amaze 
ment  around  him  ;  "  what  the  devil's  in  the  wind  now  ?  Who 
spoke  ?" 

Kate  had  sank  back  on  her  seat,  greatly  surprised  and  terrified  ; 
but  Jack,  without  saying  a  word,  hastened  to  the  spot  from  whence 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  29 

the  voice  had  evidently  issued.     He  soon  returned,  and  his  looks 
sufficiently  testified  how  astonished  and  bewildered  he  was. 

"  What  the  devil  is  this,  that  is  playing  his  pranks  with  us  ?"  he 
said.  "I  can  see  no  one." 

"  No  one  !"  repeated  Joe  Trennant ;  "  it  was  the  voice  of  a  man, 
I'll  swear,  and  not  a  very  agreeable  one,  either  !  How  dare  he  give 
old  Joe  Trennant  the  lie  ?  The"  lubber  ! — would  that  I  had  him 
here,  I  would  show  him  that  I  have  not  lost  any  of  my  courage, 
though  I  have  two  of  my  iimbs." 

"It  is  a  most  strange  adventure,"  said  our  hero,  "and  I  cannot 
understand  it  at  all,  unless  it  is  that  some  of  our  friends  are  having 
a  game  with  us.  Be  not  alarmed,  Kate,  for  no  doubt  all  will  be 
satisfactorily  explained  by  and  by:" 

Kate  sighed — and  Jack,  having  shaken  the  old  man  cordially  by 
the  hand,  Joe  took  his  departure,  and  the  lovers  retired  into  the 
house,  where  6ur  hero  exerted  himself  to  the  utmost  to  raise  the 
spirits  of  Kate,  and  to  banish  the  dismal  forebodings  from  her  mind. 
There  was  a  numerous  party  of  sailors  and  their  sweethearts-  assem 
bled  that  morning  at  the  ship,  and  it  seemed  as  if  they  were  resolved 
to  enjoy  themselves,  as  this  was  the  last  day  that  they  would  hav« 
an  opportunity  of  meeting  together  for  some  time.  The  largest  and 
best  rooms  in  the  inn  had  been  prepared  for  their  accommodation : 
old  Kit  Breezely  was,  as  usual,  all  bustle  and  activity  in  his  busi-. 
ness ;  and  Joe  Trennant  shone  conspicuous  amongst  the  guests,  and 
created  considerable  mirth  by  the  joke*  he  cracked  and  the  yarns 
he  spun. 

"  Belay  there  !"  shouted  the  veteran  ;  "what  cheer,  messmates? 
Yo,  ho !  Here  you  are  all  safe  aboard,  in  the  twinkling  of  a  hand 
spike.  Now,  my  hearties,  what  cheer  ?  Come,  push  about  the 
grog — pipe  all  hands  for  mischief.  No  bad  looks  to-day,  for  it  may 
be  a  long  time  before  we  shall  meet  again ;  and  therefore  we  must 
give  the  grog  no  quarter  at  parting.  What  say  you,  Kit,  you  old 
son  of  a  sea-cook  ?" 

"  You  are  right,  Joe,"  answered  Kit,  "  as  you  always  are ;  but 
what  say  you,  lads  and  lasses  ;  I  suppose  you  will  have  a  dance  ? 
It  is  never  too  early  to  commence  mirth." 

*'  Ay,  ay  !  a  dance  !  a  dance !"  shouted  two  or  three  of  the  sailors, 
in  a  breath. 

"  Hold '  hold !"  crie.4  Joe  Trennant ;  "  Jack  Junk  is  not  alongside 


80  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

of  us  yet ;  and  for  any  of  you  to  shake  a  toe  without  him,  would  be 
like  going  to  sea  without  a  jolly-boat." 

"Ay,"  observed  one  of  the  sailors,  "there  is  no. beginning  the 
dance  without  Jack  Junk :  though  I  say  it,  for  a  hop  and  a  hearty 
laugh,  there  isn't  his  equal." 

"  His  equal !"  repeated  Joe ;  "  no,  no — I'd  back  Jack  Junk  for  any 
thing  against  any  lad  in  the  navy.  I  suppose  he  has  gone  to  fetch 
his  sweetheart,  and  I  dare  say  we  shall  see  them  crowding  all  sail 
this  way  presently." 

At  this  moment  there  was  a  loud  scream  heard  outside,  which 
seemed  to  proceed  from  no  great  distance  from  the  house ;  and  the 
guests  all  started  towards  the  doors  and  windows. 
„  "  Hollo !"  cried  Joe  Trennant ;  "  what's  in  the  wind  now  ?  Sig 
nals  of  distress  !  Clear  the  gangway,  and  give  us  sea-room  !  Crowd 
all  sail,  messmates,  and  bear  down  upon  the  enemy,  whoever  he 
may  be !  Yo,  ho  !  yo,  ho !" 

Several  sailors,  with  old  Joe  Trennant  at  their  head,  hobbling 
along  as  fast  as  he  could,  immediately  left  the  house,  and  hastened 
towards  the  spot  from  whence  they  had  heard  the  cries ;  and  they 
had  not  proceeded  far,  when  they  beheld  Jack  Junk  supporting  the 
insensible  form  of  Kate  on  his  arm,  engaged  with  Mark  Stanford 
in  a  desperate  combat ;  whilst  Constance  was  standing  by,  wring 
ing  her  hands,  and  making  the  air  resound  again  with  her  cries  for 
help. 

"  Sink  my  mizzen-top  1"  exclaimed  Joe  ;  "  my  boy  Jack,  yard-arm 
and  yard-arm  with  that  infernal  swab ! — what's  the  meaning  of 
this  ?  Crowd  all  sail,  my  lads,  and  lay  your  grappling-irons  on  the 
rascally  pirate  !  Yo,  ho  !  Jack  Junk,  ahoy  !" 

"Yes,  Joe,"  rephed  our  hero;  "and  it  is  lucky  for  him  that  my 
time  for  cruising  about  this  coast  is  so  short,  or  he  should  pay  dearly 
for  his  tricks  ;  however,  the  time  will  come,  I  have  no  doubt,  when 
I  shall  have  an  opportunity  to  overhaul  him,  and  I  will  pour  such 
&  broadside  in  upon  his  black-looking  old  hulk,  that  will  shake  every 
timber.  I  was  bearing  down  towards  the  ship,  when  I  heard  signals 
of  distress  ;  and,  veering  round  a  point,  I  beheld  the  fellow  yard-arm 
and  yard-arm  with  my  innocent  Kate.  Poor  girl,  he  has  terribly 
frightened  her ;  but  it  was  fortunate  1  happened  to  be  within  hail, 
or  there  is  no  knowing  what  might  have  happened." 

"  The  scoundrel !"  said  Joe,  warmly ;  "  however,  it  is  all  well  as 


THE   TAB    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  3l 

it  happens,  and  it  strikes  me  that  the  swab  will  not  have  the  courage 
to  hoist  his  colors  again  for  some  time  to  come.  If  I  am  not  very 
much  mistaken,  this  Farmer  Stanford,  as  he  calls  himself,  is  not 
what  he  represents  himself  to  be ;  but,  if  a  sharp  look-out  is  kept 
on  his  actions,  his  real  character  will  some  time  or  other  be  disco 
vered.  But  come,  let  us  hasten  to  the  ship,  and  see  to  the  recovery 
of  poor  Kate.  Constance,  my  lass,  give  old  Joe  Trennant  your 
arm,  and  he  will  pilot  you  safe  into  port." 

Constance  complied  with  the  old  man's  request  without  making 
use  of  any  observation,  and  Jack,  still  supporting  the  insensible 
form  of  his  lover  in  his  arms,  they  made  their  way  to  the  house  of 
old  Kit  Breezely,  where  everything  was  done  to  bring  about  the 
recovery  of  Kate,  which  was  speedily  effected. 

"  My  sweet  Kate,"  said  our  hero,  "  how  happy  <Jo  I  feel  to  think 
I  hapjened  to  be  sailing  close  at  hand  when  that  cowardly  shark 
bore  down  against  you.  The  fellow  has  the  impudence  of  the  devil, 
but  he  must  look  out,  or  he  may  chance  to  have  to  dearly  pay  for 
his  daring.  The  lubber  !  to  dare  to  raise  his  thoughts  towards  my 
pretty  and  innocent  Kate  !  Why,  damme,  there  is  not  a  man  in  the 
whole  Biitish  navy,  from  the  poorest  devil  before  the  mast  to  the 
Lord  Hi^.h  Admiral,  who  would  presume  to  rival  Jack  Junk  in  the 
affections  )f  that  dear  girl  to  whom  his  very  soul  is  devoted.  But 
cheer  up,  -r\y  lass,  after  this  slight  squall,  and  look  forward  to  fair 
weather  &nd  a  favorable  voyage,  till  we  anchor  safe  in  the  port  of 
matrimony." 

Kate  sighed,  and  for  a  moment  hid  her  blushing  face  on  the 
shoulder  of  her  lover. 

After  Mark  Stanford  had  so  abruptly  quitted  the  spot  where  he 
had  encountered  his  rival,  bursting  with  rage  and  disappointment, 
and  mutteri.ig  curses  to  himself,  he  walked  on,  meditating  on  his 
future  plans,  but  did  not  feel  inclined  to  return  home  at  present. 

"  Ha  !"  said  Jack,  "  who  have  we  here  ?  A  pedlar  ?  Let's  over 
haul  your  cargo." 

The  pedlar  was  a  man  between  fifty  and  sixty  years  of  age,  and 
there  was  something  rather  singular  in  his  appearance ;  but  he 
affected  great  good  humor,  and  seemed  likely,  by  that  means,  to 
dispose  of  his  goods  freely. 

"  Ah  I"  said  Jack,  looking  over  the  handkerchiefs  he  carried  in 
his  pack  ;  "you  carry  a  good  assortment,  mate — here's  a  beauty— 


83  JACK  JUNK;  OB, 

it  reminds  me  of  the  sky,  because  it's  blue,  and  it  also  reminds  me 
of  my  dear  Kate,  because  it's  an  emblem  of  truth  and  innocence. 
Dear  Kate,  I  tie  this  around  your  neck  ;  it  is  but  a  simple  gift,  but 
I  know  it  is  quite  sufficient  to  remind  you  of  poor  Jack  when  he  if 
far  away." 

Kate  pressed  it  to  her  lips  in  silence,  tears  at  the  same  time  start 
ing  to  her  eyes,  and  she  suffered  her  lover  to  place  the  handkerchie* 
round  her  neck. 

"A  very  pretty  present — a  very  handsome  present,"  said  the  ped 
lar;  "and  doubtless  the  young  woman  would  like  to  make  a  pur 
chase  of  something  to  give  to  you,  by  which,  whenever  you  looked 
upon  it,  you  might  remember  her,  and " 

"  Avast  there,  you  lubber !"  interrupted  Jack  ;  "  think  you  there 
is  anything  Jack*Junk  requires  to  remind  him  of  the  dear  girl  of 
his  heart — that  she  can  ever  be  absent  from  his  memory  ?  Why,  1 
shall  see  her  beauteous  face  in  every  wave  that  lashes  the  ship's 
side — in  every  cloud  that  rides  the  horizon.  Forget  my  Kate  !  sink 
my  mizen  top ! — but  you  are  only  a  land  swab,  and  have  never 
smelt  salt  water,  I " 

"  Nay,  master,"  returned  the  pedlar,  interrupting  him,  "  there  you 
are  mistaken,  for,  although  I  am  now  only  what  you  see  me  to  be, 
a  poor  pedlar,  who  toils  hard  enough  to  get  a  living,  I  have  wea 
thered  many  a  rough  gale  in  the  course  of  my  time,  notwithstand 
ing.  However,  I  did  not  mean  to  offend  you ;  I  thought,  perhaps, 
the  young  lady  might  wish  to  make  you  a  present  before  you  de- 
parted^  such  as  a  handsome  tobacco-box,  for  instance  ;  and,  by-the 
bye,  I  have  got  such  a  one  as  you  don't  see  every  day — all  silver, 
with  a  miniature  of  a  gentleman  in  the  lid  of  it,  as  much  resembling 
you  as  ever  I  saw  two  peas  in  a  pod.  It  is  very  remarkable.  I 
have  had  it  a  long  time  in  my  possession,  and  had  no  particular 
wish  to  part  with  it,  only  I  happen  to  have  been  rather  unfortunate 
in  business  of  late,  and  ready  money  would  be  an  object  to  me.  I 
would  sell  it  at  a  bargain." 

"  Well,"  said  our  hero,  whose  curiosity  was  somewhat  excited  by 
what  the  pedlar  had  said,  "let  us  look  at  this  wonderful  box." 

The  pedlar  immediately  produced  from  his  pocket  a  handsomely 
chased  silver  box,  which  he  placed  in  the  hands  of  our  hero,  who, 
opening  the  lid,  gazed  with  astonishment  upon  a  well-executed  min 
iature  enclosed  in  the  interior. 


THE    TAR    FOR'  ALL    WEATHERS.  33 

"Why,  by  heaven !"  exclaimed  he,  "this  is  the  \ery  counterpart 
of  the  likeness  in  the  locket  which  was  found  suspended  from  mr 
neck  by  him  from  whom  I  have  taken  my  name,  and  which  was 
presented  to  me  by  old  Joe  Trennant  only  the  day  before  yesterday. 
Compare  them,  my  dear  Kate  ;  did  you  ever  see  anything  more 
alike  ?" 

Kate  examined  the  miniature  in  the  lid  of  the  box  and  that  in  th« 
locket  eagerly,  and  ejaculated — 

"Astonishing!  They  are  exactly  alike;  they  must. both  have 
been  done  by  the  same  person ;  and  what  an  extraordinary  resem 
blance  they  bear  to  you,  my  dear  Jack." 

"  Well,"  returned  her  lover,  "  I  think  there  is  some  likeness.  How 
did  this  box  come  into  your  possession,  old  man  ?" 

"  I  found  it,"  answered  the  pedlar. 

"  Found  it  ?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Where  ?"  demanded  our  hero. 

"  On  the  sea-beach,  many  miles  from  here,  where  it  appeared  to 
have  been  washed  from  some  wreck.  That  is  more  than  seven 
years  ago,  and  I  have  kept  it  by  me  ever  since ;  but  I  must  now 
part  with  it,  if  I  can  only  find  a  customer.  Have  you  any  wish  to 
purchase  it,  master  ?  I  will  sell  it  to  you  cheap." 

"  What  do  you  require  for  it  ?"  inquired  Jack. 

The  pedlar  named  his  price,  to  which  our  hero  readily  agreed, 
and  the  box  having  become  his,  the  pedlar  took  his  departure  to 
endeavor  to  find  fresh  customers  from  the  numerous  seamen 
assembled. 

Jack  Junk  continued  to  gaze  upon  the  miniature  in  the  box  and 
that  in  the  locket' with  the  greatest  amazement  for  some  minutes ; 
and  the  longer  he  did  so,  the  greater  his  emotion  became. 

"  Well,"  he  remarked,  at  last,  "  this  is  certainly  one  of  the  most 
xtraordinary  circumstances  I  ever  met  with.  The  portraits  have 
evidently  been  both  done  for  the  same  individual,  and  I  am  lost  in  a 
mystery.  But  I  will  treasure  and  preserve  this  box,  which  has 
come  so  singularly  into  my  possession,  as  much  as  the  locket ;  and, 
some  day  or  other,  if  Providence  so  wills  it,  they  may  lead  to  the 
discovery  as  to  who  were  my  real  parents,  although  it  is  but  too 
probable  that  they  are  both  now  no  more.  But  come,  my  dear 

Kate,  you  are  again  looking  as  dull  as  a  tar  upon  six- water-grog. 

3 


84  JACK    JUNK  ;    OH, 

Arouse  yourself,  my  lass,  and  let  us  endeavor  to  pass  the  few  hoius 
we  are  destined  to  be  together  as  happy  as  we  can." 

"  Alas  !"  sighed  Kate,  "  how  hard  is  the  task  you  would  impose 
upon  me ;  how  do  1  tremble  as  the  fatal  moment  so  rapidly  ap 
proaches  when  we  must  part,  perhaps  never  to  meet  again.  Never 
did  the  broad  waters  of  the  ocean  appear  so  fearful  to  me  as  they 
do  at  present,  and  every  stately  vessel  upon  which  my  eyes  now 
rest,  bears  to  my  imagination  the  gloom  and  horror  of  a  floating 
prison.  Oh,  Jack,  were  I  permitted  to  share  with  you  the  dangers 
you  will  have  to  encounter,  methinks  I  could  be  content ;  but  who 
will  be  lei"  to  comfort  me  when  you  are  far  away  ?  And  should 
you  perish  in  the  battle's  dreadful  carnage,  what  then  will  be  left  to 
your  poor  Kate  but  misery  and  despair  ?" 

"Avast !  avast,  my  love,"  said  Jack,  in  a  hoarse  voice,  "  for  your 
words  unman  me,  and  I  shall  become  as  weak  presently  as  the 
veriest  lubber  that  ever  plodded  his  way  through  life  on  shore.  Talk 
not  of  danger,  my  lass,  for  that  was  never  yet  entered  in  a  sailor's 
log-book.  Shiver  my  timbers,  Kate  !  would  you  have  me  skulking 
like  a  porpoise  on  shore,  when  there  are  enemies  of  our  country  at 
sea  to  assist  in  drubbing  ?  Come,  Kate,  send  dull  care  to  old  Davy  j 
let  us  mingle  with  the  brave  fellows  and  lasses  here  assembled,  and 
anticipate  only  happiness  for  the  future." 

"Ah,  dear  Jack,"  again  sighed  the  maiden,  "how  dreary  will  the 
hours  wear  away  that  separate  me  from  you.  You  may  deem  me 
weak  and  childish,  but  indeed  I  cannot  contemplate  our  parting 
without  still  encountering  the  most  fearful  apprehensions." 

"  Now,  my  beloved  Kate,"  said  Jack,  "  put  a  bold  heart  upon  the 
business  ;  never  lower  your  flag  to  the  grim  enemy  Despair ;  but 
have  courage  and  confidence  in  a  just  cause." 

Poor  Kate's  heart  sank  within  her ;  she  felt  as  if  she  were  parting 
with  her  very  life  ;  and,  had  it  not  been  for  the  support  of  her  lover, 
she  must  have  sunk  upon  the  earth. 

But  the  villain  Stanford,  from  a  place  where  he  could  not  be  ob 
served,  was  a  gratified  spectator  of  this  melancholy  scene  ;  and  base 
'were  the  thoughts  that  crowded  upon  his  guilty  mind. 

"  Cling  to  him,  proud  beauty,"  he  muttered  to  himself,  "  and  pour 
forth  your  vows  of  affection  in  his  ear ;  for,  if  fortune  favors  my 
deep-laid  designs,  this  is  the  last  opportunity  you  will  have  of  doing 
BO.  The  Rover  of  the  Seas  marks  his  victim,  and  will  secure  her 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  35 

at  any  cost.     Yes,  the  Black  Raven  shall  soon  own  as  fair  a  mis 
tress  as  ever  graced  a  monarch's  throne." 

With  eager  eyes  the  pirate  watched  them,  as  they  slowly  bent 
their  way  towards  the  harbor ;  and  then  folding  a  huge  mantle 
around  him,  which  he  wore  on  that  occasion,  the  better  to  conceal 
his  person  from  observation,  he  followed  at  a  distance.  The  fatal 
moment  more  rapidly  approached,  and  poor  Kate  clung,  sobbing 
convulsively,  to  her  lover's  bosom,  and  felt  as  if  her  heart  would 
break. 

"  Oh !  Jack,  dear  Jack,"  she  said,  ''  we  must  not,  cannot  part ;  the 
thought  maddens  me,  and  my  strength  can  never  support  the  dread 
ful  trial.  Oh,  why  has  cruel  destiny  decreed  that  we  should  be  thui 
separated,  and  that  you  should  be  exposed  to  such  terrible  dangers  ? 
My  heart  never  felt  so  full  as  it  does  at  present,  and  the  most  aw- 
fal  forebodings  crowd  upon  my  imagination — we  shall  never  meet 
again !" 

"  Avast !  avast !  my  sweet  love,"  replied  our  hero,  "  and  bear  up 
against  this  trial  like  a  woman.  It  is  only  a  slight  breeze,  which 
will  soon  blow  over,  and  all  will  be  calm  and  favorable  weather  for 
the  remainder  of  our  voyage.  Not  meet  again  !  oh,  do  not  say  so 
— do  not  think  so.  Our  separation  will  be  but  brief,  and  the  hap 
piness  of  our  meeting  again  will  be  ten  fold." 

'  "Oh,  God!"  exclaimed  Kate,  still  clinging  franticly  to  him,  "  I  can- 
not ;  my  heart  will  break  ;  my  brain  is  distracted — hark  how  fiercely 
the  tempest  rages !  see  the  foaming  billows  mount  like  raging  de 
mons  to  the  clouds,  o'erwhelming  all  within  their  fury  in  destruc 
tion.  Jack,  dear  Jack,  you  shall  not — must  not  leave  me  thus  ;  am 
1  not  your  affianced  bride,  and  who  shall  dare  to  tear  you  from  me  ? 
We  will  not  part." 

"  Kate,  Kate,"  said  the  seaman,  in  a  broken  voice,  "  you — you  un 
man  me ;  you  make  me  a  child.  Nay,  nay — this  is  not  like  my 
bonny  Kate  ;  cheerily,  cheerily— do  not  take  on  so,  my  poor  lass." 

Gently  he  disengaged  himself  from  her  embraces,  and  with  a  deep 
sigh  she  sank  fainting  in  the  arms  of  her  uncle.  Poor  Jack  fixed 
one  look  of  the  most  intense  affection  upon  her — pressed  most  fer 
vent  kisses  upon  her  pale  cheeks  and  forehead  ;  his  heart  was  too  full 
t»  suffer  him  to  give  utterance  to  a  syllable ;  and  pressing  the  hands 
of  Constance,  Mr.  Markham,  and  Joe  Trennant,  he  rushed  hastily 
from  the  spct,  and  was  quickly  lost  to  view  among  his  shipmatei 


86  JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

who  were  going  on  board.  Mr.  Markham  still  supported  the  insen 
sible  form  of  his  niece  in  his  arms,  and  the  whole  of  those  on  shore 
gazed^anxiously  at  the  fleet,  which  was  now  preparing  to  set  sail. 
In  a  few  minutes  t4ie  deafening  cheers  of  the  sailors  on  board  the 
different  vessels  informed  them  that  the  time  was  come,  and  di 
rectly  afterwards  the  gallant  fleet  steered  its  course  majestically  out 
of  the  harbor.  The  eyes  of  Constance  and  her  father,  -and  Joe 
Trennant,  instinctively  fixed  themselves  upon  the  Defiance,  and 
there  the  first  object  that  met  their  gaze  was  Jack  Junk  who  had 
mounted  one  of  the  yards,  and  with  his  eyes  apparently  fixed  upon 
them,  waving  a  handkerchief  in  the  air.  Mark  Stanford  stood  upon 
an  eminence  from  which  he  could  watch  every  thing  without  inter 
ruption  ;  and,  as  the  fleet  sailed  out  of  the  harbor,  his  heart  bounded 
with  exultation. 

"  They  go,"  he  said  ;  "  and  he,  the  favored  lover  of  that  fair  girl 
whom  I  have  destined  to  be  my  future  mistress,  will,  I  trust,  never 
more  return  to  annoy  me.  May  the  wild  waves  engulph  his  car 
case,  or  the  sword  of  the  enemy  lay  him  low.  But,  should  Provi 
dence  restore  him  in  safety  to  his  native  land— shall  he  ever  again 
behold  that  girl  who  is  the  very  idol  of  his  soul  ?  No  ;  I,  Hugh 
Granfield,  the  pirate  captain  of  the  Raven,  swear  by  all  the  infernal 
hosts  he  shall  not.  Long  ere  then  she  shall  be  mine,  and  sailing 
with  me  in  my  gallant  barque  upon  the  bright  blue  waters  of  the 
deep,  where  no  help  can  come  to  her — no  one  can  rescue  her  from 
my  power." 

Thus  soliloquizing,  the  villain  Stanford  folded  his  arms  across  his 
broad  chest,  and  continued  to  watch  the  departing  fleet  with  eager 
looks  of  satisfaction.  The  firing  of  the  guns  aroused  our  heroine 
from  her  state  of  insensibility,  and  passing  her  fair  hand  across  her 
forehead,  as  if  to  collect  her  thoughts,  she  gazed  wildly  and  vacantly 
around  her. 

"  What  fearful  dream  is  this  that  has  tortured  my  imagination  ?" 
she  ejaculated  ;  "  methought  that  I  was  separated  from  my  lover, 
and  that  the  cruel  billows  bore  him  from  me  far  away.  But  no  ;  it 
cannot  be  !  who  would  dare  to  separate  two  beings  who  are  so  de 
voted  to  each  other  ?  But  he  is  not  here  !  I  do  not  hear  his  voice ; 
— why  do  you  hold  me  thus  ?  Jack — beloved  Jaok,  oh !  where 
are  you  ?" 

"  Be  calm,  dear  Kate,"  remonstrated  her  uncle ;  {f  be  calm,  and 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  37 

put  your  trust  in  the  goodness  of  Providence,  who  will  not  fail  to 
watch  over  and  protect  your  loverj  and  restore  him  safe  to  your 
aims."  . 

"  Ah  !"  exclaimed  Kate,  suddenly  starting,  and  gazing  in  the  di 
rection  of  the  fleet,  which  was  fast  receding  from  the  view ;  "  they 
nave  taken  him  from  me>  the  cruel  waves  bear  him  far  away,  and 
we  shall  never  meet  again.  Jack,  dear  Jack !  Oh,  heaven  help  me !" 

The  fleet  now  appeared  only  as  a.  dim  speck  upon  the  distant  ho 
rizon,  and  Kate,  again  overpowered  by  the  intensity  of  her  feelings, 
uttered  a  faint  cry  of  despair,  and  sank  insensible  in  the  arms  of 
her  uncle. 

"  Poor  lass  !"  said  Joe  Trennant ;  "  this  trial  is  too  much  for  her ; 
bear  her  into  the  house,  friend  Markham,  and  let  us  see  to  her  re 
covery.  Her  spirits  have  got  into  the  trough  of  a  sea  of  troubles ; 
I  wish  I  could  only  lend  a  hand  at  the  windlass,  or  take  in  a  reef  of 
her  canvas  if  the  wind  blows  too  hard." 

"  Ah,  Master  Trennant,"  said  Markham,  "  this  is  indeed  a  severe 
trial  for  the  poor  girl  who  loves  Jack  Junk  so  fondly  ;  but  may 
heaven  watch  over  his  safety,  and  once  more  restore  him  to  her 
arms."  With  these  words  Mr.  Markham  bore  the  insensible  form 
of  his  niece  into  the  house,  and  was  followed  by  Constance*  and  the 
others — Mark  Stanford  from  the  place  of  h'is  concealment  watching 
them  with  deadly  looks  of  malice,  as  they  retired. 

"  My  rival  is  gone,"  he  muttered  to  himself,  "  and  if  fortune  does 
not  frown  upon  me,  they  will  never  meet  again.  Kate  Markham,  a 
few  weeks,  perhaps  only  a  few  short  days,  shall  elapse  ere  you  shall 
become  the  prize  of  the  pirate,  him  whom  you  so  thoroughly  hate 
and  despise.  Yes  ;  I  have  marked  you  for  my  victim  ;  and,  by  all 
my  hopes,  nothing  whatever  shall  save  you  from  my  power.  Yon-v 
der  lies  my  gallant  barque  at  anchor,  and  ere  long  I  shall  have  you. 
Kate  Markham,  I  will  have  you  safely  there  on  board,  and  bear  you 
far  away  from  your  native  land,  and  beyond  the  reach  of  assist 
ance  from  your  friends.  Till  then,  they  may  continue  to  despise  tho 
supposed  Farmer  Stanford.  Ha!  ha!  ha!  I  go  to  further  arrange  my 
plans."  He  turned  to  go  away  as  he  gave  utterance  to  these  words, 
and  beheld  the  mysterious  old  man,  Reuben  of  the  Cliff,  standing  but 
a  short  distance  from  him,  and  leaning  on  his  staff,  gazing  earnestly 
upon  him. 

"  How  now,  old  man  ?"  demanded  Stanford  ;  "why  do  you  again 


19  JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

cross  my  path  ?  what  would  you  with  me  ?     Stand  aside,  I  com 
mand  you,  and  let  me  pass." 

"  You  command  !"  repeated  Reuben,  with  a  look  of  ineffable  con. 
tempt ;  "  pirate,  dog  !"  murmured  Reuben  of  the  Cliff":  "  who  knows 
all  thy  dark  secrets,  and  holds  thy  fate  in  his  hands?  You  think, 
that  now  your  rival  has  departed,  your  triumph  will  be  certain,  and 
that  nothing  can  save  the  innocent  Kate  Markham,  the  daughter  of 
that  unfortunate  man,  who  perished  by  your  bloody  and  inhuman 
hands." 

"  Cease,  babbling  old  wretch  !"  cried  Stanford  ;  "  cease  your  wild 
predictions,  and  begone.  By  what  means  you  have  become  ac 
quainted  V'th  my  secrets,  I  cannot  imagine;  but,  if  I  thought  you 
would  dare  to  betray  me,  I  would  speedily  adopt  such  means  as 
would  silence  you  forever." 

"Idiot !"  returned  Reuben  ;  "  dare  you  threaten  me,  whose  power 
your  guilty,  blood-stained  conscience  will  not  suffer  you  to  deny  ? 
Beware,  beware;  the  storm  is  gathering;  black  and  ponderous 
clouds  darken  the  horizon,  which  in  due  time -will  burst  and  over- 
'whelm  you  with  their  fury.  Remember,  that  I  could  this  moment 
denounce  thee  to  the  world  as  a  pirate  and  a  murderer,  and  at  once 
bring  thy  guilty  career  to  a  termination  ;  but  for  the  present  I  will 
suffer  thee  to  escape  the  punishment  you  so  richly  deserve ;  for  1 
have  deep-laid  designs  in  contemplation,  which  will  inflict  upon 
you  tenfold  torture  and  disgrace.  Till  then,  you  may  continue  in 

your  fancied  triumph  ;  but  the  day  will  come,  depend  upon  it,  and 

a  terrible  day  will  that  be  for  the  pirate  chief." 

"  Strange  being  !"  ejaculated   Stanford,  "  I  cannot  endure  those 

threats  ;  I  will  know  who  and  what  you  are,  and  how  you  have 
^acquired  the  knowledge  you  possess." 

"  Yes,  villain,"  replied  Reuben,  "  and  you  shall  know  some  day, 

to  your  shame  and  confusion.     The  day  of  retribution  will  come, 

•nd  let  the  anticipation  of  it  fill  your  guilty  soul  with  terror." 
"  Away  !"  exclaimecT  Stanford,  "  I  will  hear  no  more !     I  scorn 

thy  boasted  power !  what  witness  have  you  of  that  of  which  you 

accuse  me  ?     I  defy  you  and  your  empty  threats.     Who  will  look 

upon  your  words  any  more  than  the  wild  ravings  of  a  wretched 

maniac  ?" 

"  Say  you  so,  Hugh  Granfield  ?"  returned  the  old  man  ;  "  oh,  but 

you  will   find  yourself  most  wofully  deceived ;  and  it  will  then  be 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  99 

the  turn  of  Reuben  of  the  Cliff  to  triumph  !  bonder  rides  youi 
pirate  barque,  the  pretended  fair  trader,  the  Enterprise, — is  it  not 
so  ?  Many  are  the  tempests  she  has  braved — many  are  the  perils 
she  has  encountered.  Her  deck  has  been  washed  by  the  crimson 
blood  of  brave  and  innocent  men.  Terrible  are  the  scenes  of  car 
nage  that  have  been  enacted  on  board  that  dreadful  vessel  beneath 
thy  savage  command  ;  but  the  day  will  come  when  her  power  will 
be  defeated,  and  yourself  and  your  inhuman  crew  be  doomed  to  an 
ignominious  death,  amid  tlie  execrations  of  those  against  whom  you 
have  so  long  waged  a  cruel  and  inhuman  war  of  destruction.  Trem 
ble,  pirate  !  miscreant !  murderer  !" 

"  By  all  the  infernal  host !"  exclaimed  Stanford,  "  I  will  no  longer 
thus  tamely  submit  to  be  mocked,  taunted,  and  threatened.  Old 
croaking  idiot,  begone/I  say,  and  dare  not  again  to  cross  my  path, 
or  tremble  at  my  vengeance  !  Know  you  not  what  it  is  to  incur 
the  wrath  of  Hugh  Granfield,  the  Rover  of  the  Seas  ? — him  who 
never  yet  failed  to  keep  his  word — whose  aim  is  sure — whose  name 
the  boldest  cannot  utter  without  a  shudder  of  horror — and  who 
hitherto  has  been  able  to  set  all  power  at  defiance  ?" 

"I  know  all,"  replied  tne  oid  man,  in  a  calm  voice,  "and  treat 
your  threats  with  the  most  ineffable  contempt.  Nay,  you  may 
frown,  but  I  know  you  tremble  at  the  power  of  Reuben  of  the  Cliff, 
although  you  would  fain  affect  to  despise  him.  I  go ;  but  often 
shall  we  meet  again,  and  I  will  never  cease  to  repeat  those  fearful 
facts  that  are  so  unwelcome  to  your  ears." 

Thus  saying,  the  old  man  turned  abruptly  away,  and,  darting 
rapidly  down  the  side  of  a  steep  rock,  he  was  out  of  sight  before  the 
villain  Mark  Stanford  had  recovered  from  his  surprise  and  con 
fusion. 

"  D — n  !"  he  at  last  fiercely  exclaimed  ;  "  shall  I  tamely  brook 
this  ?  The  infernal  shark  evidently  knows  too  much,  and  he  is  a 
dangerous  customer  to  be  permitted  to  cruise  about  this  coast.  He 
knows  all  my  secrets — has  threatened  to  foil  my  designs,  and  has  it 
in  his  power  at  any  time  to  betray  me.  This  must  be  prevented  at 
all  hazards.  I  must  secure  the  old  man,  and  silence  his  busy  tongue 
forever.  It  can  easily  be  accomplished  ;  and,  in  order  to  secure  my 
own  safety,  I  must  lose  no  time  about  it.  It  shall  be  done,  and  that 
flus  very  night.  Idiot  he  must  be,  knowing  my  desperate  and  de 


40  JACK   JUNE  J    OR, 

I 

termined  character,  to  venture  thus  boldly  to  threaten  me  :  it  23 
well  that  he  has  done  so,  for  it  has  put  me  on  my  guard." 

Having  thus  spoken,  Mark  Stanford  once  more  cast  a  glance  to 
wards  the  house  where  Kate  and  her  friends  were  assembled,  and 
then  slowly  bent  his  way  towards  his  home.  It  was  in  vain  that 
Constance  and  her  father  endeavored  to  ameliorate  the  grief  of 
Kate — the  most  dismal  presentiments  continued  to  haunt  and  dis 
tract  her  mind,  and  she  felt,  now  that  her  lover  had  departed,  as  if 
she  was  left  alone  in  the  world,  and  that  happiness  could  never 
again  be  hers.  At  length,  feeling  restless  and  uneasy  at  the  tavern, 
they  returned  towards  home.  They  had  scarcely  reached  the  door 
of  their  dwelling,  when  dark  and  threatening  clouds  obscured  the 
horizon ;  the  wind  howled  in  hollow  and  fitful  gusts  around,  and 
everything  gave  token  of  an  approaching  storm  ;  and  soon  the 
lightning  flashed  its  forked  fury — the  thunder  rolled  loudly  along  the 
vault  of  heaven,  and  the  rain  descended  in  an  overwhelming  torrent 
upon  the  earth.  Every  moment  the  tempest  increased  in  fury,  and 
at  length  it  became  completely  frightful.  Kate  was  terrified,  and 
clung  to  her  uncle  in  speechless  agony.  She  thought  of  her  lover, 
and  her  heart  sunk  with  horror  when  she  pictured  to  herself  the 
dangers  to  which  he  was  so  soon  exposed,  and  from  which  it  was 
too  likely  he  would  not  be  able  to  escape. 

"Oh,  God !"  she  ejaculated,.at  last,  "  what  will  become  of  him  in 
such  a  terrible  storm  as  this  ?  What  vessel  can  weather  such  a 
frightful  tempest  ?  He  is  lost — he  is  lost !  Alas  !  how  soon  are 
my  worst  surmises  realized!  Poor  Jack!  why  did  cruel  fate  thus 
separate  us  ?  We  shall  never,  never  meet  again,  and  all  the  hopea 
and  happiness  of  Kate  Markham  are  gone  forever !" 

She  wept  bitterly  as  these  thoughts  arose  to  her  tortured  imagi 
nation,  and  her  uncle  in  vain  endeavored  to  console  her.  More 
than  an  hour  passed  away,  and  still  the  storm  continued  to  increase 
in  violence  instead  of  abating,  and  it  was  sufficient  even  to  make 
the  stoutest  heart  quail  with  terror  and  awe.  It  was,  indeed,  a 
fearful  scene.  The  earth  was  enveloped  in  complete  darkness,  save 
at  intervals,  when  the  ethereal  fire  flashed  across  the  sky,  rendering 
the  horrors  of  the  scene  still  more  impressive.  The  terror  of  Kate 
became  more  powerful  and  insupportable,  and  Constance  in  vain 
tried  to  tranquilize  her. 

M  Oh,  that  I  had  been  permitted  to  accompany  him,"  she  sighed, 


THK    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  41 

I 

"to share  with  him  all  his  dangers  ;  and,  even  though  it  should  have 
been  the  will  of  heaven  that  we  should  have  perished  in  this  terrible 
storm,  methitiks  I  could  have  met  my  fate  without  a  murmur  had  i 
been  allowed  to  die  in  his  arms.  Oh,  Jack — my  dear  Jack  !  what 
is  now  your  situation,  tossing  about  on  the  wild  waters  of  the  deep 
on  such  a  night  of  horror  as  this !  God  of  heaven !  watch  over 
and  protect,  I  beseech  Thee,  the  life  of  the  poor  mariner,  and  restore 
him  in  safety  to  his  native  land  !" 

"  Be  comforted, dear  Kate,"  replied  her  cousin,  "and  rest  assured 
that  an  all-merciful  Providence  will  not  fail  to  listen  to  and  regard 
your  prayers.  The  fleet  will  no  doubt  put  in  at  the  nearest  port 
until  the  storm  has  abated,  and  your  lover  will  be  safe.  Do  not 
give  way  to  any  unnecessary  fears,  and  depend  upon  it  that  all  will 
be  well." 

Kate  shook  her  head  and  sighed  deeply,  for  it  was  in  vain  that 
she  tried  to  dissipate  the  melancholy  thoughts  and  forebodings  which 
distracted  her  mind  ;  and  thus  they  continued  to  converse  at  inter, 
vals  during  the  night,  and  the  morning  found  them  both  languid  and 
unreii  eshed. 


CHAPTER  ill. 

The  Midnight  Murder. — The  Pirate  Vessel, — The  Dt^iyns  of 
Mark  Stanford  are  more  fuUy  developed. 

THE  last  meeting  with  Reuben  of  the  Cliff,  and  the  daring  threats 
he  had  held  out,  had  made  the  most  powerful  impression  upon  the 
mind  of  Mark  Stanford.  On  arriving  at  home,  the  storm,  having 
overtaken  him  on  the  way,  he  sought  the  presence  of  Pierce  the 
Raker,  to  whom  he  related  all  that  had  taken  place,  and  asked  his 
advice  on  the  subject. 

"  My  advice  is  very  soon  given,  captain,"  said  Pierce ;  "  the  dead 
tett  no  tales,  and  the  sooner  it  is  done,  the  better."  » 

"  That  is  my  opinion,"  said  the  pirate ;  "  for  I  am  not  safe  a  mo 
ment  while  old  Reuben  is  suffered  to  live.  This  very  night  we  will 
fettle  the  business." 

"  Agreed.  I  am  ready  to  accompany  you,  for  I  suppose  you  have 
no  desire  to  go  alone  ?" 

"No,"  answered  Stanford  ;  "and  I  might  find  your  assistance  ne 
cessary.  Besides,  I  have  a  wish  to  go  aboard  our  vessel,  to  see  that 
everything  is  going  on  right.  In  a  few  days,  if  all  goes  on  as  well 
as  I  desire,  I  much  mistake  if  Kate  Markham  will  not  be  safely  on 
board  the  '  Raven  ;'  and  then  away  to  sea  in  search  of  fresh  adven 
tures,  and  to  endeavor  to  meet  with  more  booty." 

"Ay,  captain,"  observed  Pierce ;  "and,  for  my  part,  I  do  not  care 
how  soon  that  time  comes,  for  I  am  not  used  to  this  sort  of  life ; 
and  I  long  to  be  on  board  our  gallant  barque  again,  and  engaged  in 
business.  It  is  so  long  since  I  mixed  in  the  battle,  that  I  am  afraid 
I  shall  quite  get  my  hand  out,  if  I  am  suffered  to  remain  skulking  on 
shore  much  longer." 

"  Well,  Pierce,"  returned  Stanford,  "  your  wishes  wiD  soon  ba 


THE    TAR    FOIi    ALL    WEATHERS.  43 

gratified,  never  fear.  But  what  a  storm  this  is — eh  ?  Jack  Junk 
has  got  rough  weather  to  commence  his  voyage  with ;  and  Kate 
Markham,  no  doubt,  is  fretting  her  little  eyes  out  in  alarm  for  his 
safety.  May  he  never  experience  finer  weather  !  that's  all  the  harm 
I  wish  him,  though  I  do  not  expect  he  will  ever  have  the  opportunity 
to  annoy  me  again  ;  and,  should  he  return  home  again,  it  will  only 
be  to  learn  that  the  girl  he  loves  is  lost  to  him  forever,  and  that  she 
has  become  the  victim  of  the  despised  Mark  Stanford,  the  supposed 
nonest  farmer.  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !" 

"Ah,  captain,"  remarked  Pierce,  "you  will  then  indeed  have 
cause  to  exult,  and  bitter  will  be  the  grief  and  disappointment  of 
your  rival.  Kate  Markham  is  a  damsel  every  way  worthy  to  be 
come  the  mistress  of  the  pirate  chief;  and  I  congratulate  you  on 
your  good  fortune.  But  it  is  finally  settled  that  we  shall  execute 
our  designs  against  old  Reuben  to-night,  is  it  not  ?" 

"  It  is,"  answered  Stanford;  "and  that  enemy  removed,  I  shall 
have  nothing  then  to  apprehend." 

They  continued  to  converse  for  some  time  longer,  and  to  arrange 
their  future  plans ;  but  it  was  not  until  the  clock  had  struck  the 
hour  of  eleven,  that  they  started  forth  on  their  murderous  errand, 
regardless  of  the  storm,  which  still  raged  with  unabated  fury.  They 
soon  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  the  old  man's  dwelling;  and,  looking 
round  to  see  that  no  one  was  watching  them,  they  walked  on,  and 
in  a  short  time  stood  before  the  door  of  the  wretched  hovel,  where 
they  paused  and  listened;  but  all  was  perfectly  silent,  and  the  place 
was  buried  in  profound  darkness.  Stanford  tried  the  door,  but  to 
was  fastened  on  the  inside,  and  they  had  no  doubt  that  the  old  man 
had  retired  to  rest.  Pierce,  however,  pulled  a  clasp  knife  out  of 
his  pocket,  and.  after  some  difficulty,  succeeded  in  picking  the  lock, 
and  the  door  flew  open.  Having  brought  a  dark  lantern  with  them, 
they  examined  the  room ;  but  there  was  nobody  there,  and  they 
therefore  entered  silently,  for  they  had  no  doubt  that  the  old  man 
was  asleep  in  some  other  part  of  the  hovel.  Having  entered  another 
apartment,  which,  like  the  one  just  mentioned,  was  quite  untenant- 
ed,  they  stopped  to  listen  at  an  opposite  door,  and  they  could  then 
distinctly  hear  the  sounds  as  of  some  person  breathing  heavy.  This 
they  had  no  doubt  was  Reuben,  and  they  cautiously  opened  the 
door  and  peeped  in.  They  found  that  they  were  not  mistaken; 


44  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

for,  stretched  on  a  wretched  mattress  in  one  corner  of  the  roooa, 
was  the  form  of  Reuben,  and  he  appeared  to  sleep  soundly. 

"  'Tis  well,"  said  Pierce  ;  "  we  could  not  have  chosen  a  better 
time  to  put  our  design  into  execution.  He  sleeps  soundly  enough ; 
one  blow,  and  he  will  never  wake  again." 

"Yes — yes,"  faltered 'out  Stanford,  with  an  involuntary  shudder. 
"But  stay  a  moment — not  yet.  It  is  almost  a  pity  to  take  the  life 
of  the  old  man,  when  we  could  so  easily  secure  his  person,  and 
prevent  his  doing  any  further  mischief." 

"  Pshaw !"  exclaimed  Pierce,  impatiently  ;  "  why  should  you 
spare  him  ?  Besides,  if  we  settle  him  at  once,  it  will  save  all  future 
trouble,  and  there  will  be  an  end  to  the  business." 

They  hastily  shaded  the  lantern,  and  stepped  into  one  corner  of 
the  room,  where  they  were  not  likely  to  be  observed ;  and  the  old 
man  slowly  arose  from  the  mattress,  and,  rubbing  his  eyes,  he  gazed 
around  him. 

"  It  is  past  midnight,  I  should  think,"  he  observed ;  "  but  I  do  not 
care  about  going  to  sleep  again,  for  I  have  had  some  singular  and 
frightful  dreamt,  and  they  have  left  a  disagreeable  impression  upon 
my  mind  that  I  cannot  easily  get  rid  of.  It  is  a  wild  night.  How 
the  thunder  rattles  and  the  lightning  flashes!  and  hark,  how  the 
angry  waves  roar  and  bellow !  Heaven  protect  the  hardy  mariner 
who  is  exposed  to  the  horrors  of  a  tempest  such  as  this  !  Ah  !  what 
sound  was  that  ?  I  am  not  alone  !"  • 

"  No,  old  man,"  replied  Stanford,  starting  forward,  "  you  are  not, 
indeed,  alone.  Prepare  yourself,  for  your  time  has  come,  and  you 
have  not  many  minutes  to  live." 

"  Hugh  Granfield  !"  exclaimed  Reuben,  with  a  look  of  terror ; 
*  blood-stained  miscreant,  is  it  indeed  you  ?  What  seek  you  here  ?" 

"  Your  life,"  answered  the  pirate  ;  "  and  can  you  marvel  that  I 
should  do  so,  after  the  threats  you  have  held  out  to  me  ?  Fool  ] 
did  you  suppose  that  I  would  suffer  you  to  live  to  frustrate  my  de 
signs,  and  to  denounce  me  to  the  world  in  my  real  character  ?" 

"  Hugh  Granfield,"  replied  the  old  man,  solemnly,  though  it  was 
evident  that  his  lips  quivered  with  fear ;  "  Hugh  Granfield,  I  say 
beware  what  you  do;  but  you  will  not  dare  to  take  my  life.  Mon 
ster  as  you  are,  still  I  cannot  think  you  capable  of  such  a  cowardly 
and  inhuman  deed.  Forbear — and,  if  you  would  not  have  the 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  45 

vengeance  of  offended  Heaven  overtake  you,  abandon  your  brutai 
designs,  and  quit  this  place." 

"Oh,  no,"  replied  Stanford,  "you  know  too  much  for  me;  but 
had  you  been  wise  enough  to  have  kept  a  still  tongue,  you  would 
never  have  been  suspected,  and  you  might  have  had  an  opportunity 
of  betraying  me  to  punishment  before  I  could  have  been  aware  of 
the  knowledge  you  possess.  You  have  worked  your  own  destruc 
tion,  and " 

"Bah!"  impatiently  interrupted  Pierce,  as  he  brandished  a  knife, 
"  what's  the  use  of  wasting  time  thus  ?  Old  man,  have  you  got 
anything  particular  to  say,  ere  I  settle  the  business  for  you  ?" 

Poor  old  Reuben  was  now  indeed  greatly  alarmed  at  the  neai 
prospect  of  so  horrible  a  death ;  and,  clasping  his  hands  together, 
and  gazing  alternately  and  Pierce  and  Stanford,  with  looks  of  sup 
plication,  he  was  unable  for  a  moment  or  two  to  give  utterance  tc 
a  syllable. 

"  Mercy  !  mercy  ! — spare  me  !  spare  me  !" — at  length  he  gasped 
forth  ;  "  I  am  an  old  man — a  very  old  man — but  yet  not  fit  to  die. 
I— I " 

"  Cease,  croaking  hound  !"  cried  the  monster  Pierce,  as  he  plunged 
his  knife  into  the  old  man's  side, ,  who  fixed  one  terrible  glance  on 
his  murderers,  and,  with  a  deep,  frightful  groan,  he  sunk  on  the 
flooi  a  ghastly  corpse. 

Pierce  stooped  down,  and,  seizing  the  corpse  of  the  unfortunate 
old  man,  was  about  to  raise  it  to  his  shoulder,  when  at  that  moment 
a  broad  blaze  of  lightning  filled  the  wretched  apartment,  and  was 
succeeded  by  a  .terrific  peal  of  thunder,  which  shook  the  hovel  to 
its  very  foundation,  and  staggered  the  hardened  wretch  who  had 
just  given  utterance  to  such  brutal  observations.  He  dropped  the 
corpse  upon  the  floor,  and,  covering  his  face  with  his  hands,  as  a 
strange  and  almost  overpowering  sensation  daried  through  his  brain 
he  staggered  to  one  corner  of  the  room,  while  his  guilty  companion 
was  transfixed  to  the  spot  on  which  he  had  been  standing,  and  was 
unable  to  utter  a  word. 

"  Whew !"  at  length  said  Pierce,  "it  blows  great  guns,  certainly ; 
but  no  matter — we  are  used  to  such  tempests  as  these,  and  it  is  only 
the  land-lubber  who  trembles  at  them.  But,  captain,  how  pale  you 
look! — come,  come,  belay  there,  and  take  in  a  reef!  Let  us  tow 
this  old  vessel  into  port,  and  then  crowd  all  sail  to  the  bonny  Raven, 
and  meet  the  lads  there." 


40  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

"Stop!  stop!"  said  Stanford  ;  "let  us  be  sure  that  there  is  no  one 
lurking  ^bout  who  might  watch  us." 

"  Why,  how  squeamish  you  look,  captain  !"  remarked  the  ruffian  ; 
"it  is  not  very  likely  any  one  will  be  cruising  about  on  such  a  nigh, 
as  this.  Yes,  I  say,  it  blows  great  guns,  with  all  the  running-geat 
of  thunder  and  lightning,  and  rocks,  and  foggy  loomings  to  the  pur 
ser's  account.  But,  pardon  me,  captain — 1  must  say,  you  are  on 
this  occasion  like  a  porpoise  in  a  storm :  you  turn  your  own  way, 
over  and  over,  and  never  seem  to  think  of  your  bearings.  How 
ever,  to  satisfy  you,  I  will  have  a  look-out." 

He  went  to  the  door  of  the  hovel  as  he  spoke,  and  gazed  eagerly 
out  upon  the  tempest,  which  still  continued  to  rage  with  the  most 
terrific  violence. 

"  The  coast  is  clear,"  said  the  ruffian,  returning  into  the  room  ; 
"come,  let  us  finish  this  business." 

Stanford  returned  no  answer — and  Pierce  Raker,  raising  the  life 
less  form  of  their  unfortunate  victim  in  his  arms,  advanced  towards 
the  very  verge  of  the  cliff,  and  precipitated  the  body  of  Reuben  otf 
the  cliff  into  the  deep.  In  the  brief  pause  of  the  thunder,  the  pirate 
chief  heard  the  heavy  splash  of  the  corpse  as  the  dark  waters  re 
ceived  and  engulphed  it,  and  he  then,  for  the  first  time,  ventured  to 
look  up.  Pierce  was  standing  on  the  verge  of  the  cliff,  and  gazing 
with  a  look  of  fiendish  triumph  and  exultation  into  the  deep  below, 
whilst  the  blue  lightning  flashed  around  his  tall  and  athletic  form, 
and  gave  him  almost  a  supernatural  appearance. 

"  The  deed  is  complete,"  he  said  ;  "your  old  enemy  is  now  food 
for  fishes,  captain,  and  the  thunder  is  roaring  his  funeral  dirge.  But 
you  seem  to  be  taken  all  aback :  why,  skipper,  I  am  surprised  at 
you!  But  come,  let  us  weigh  anchor  immediately,  and  tow  our- 
selves  alongside  the  Raven." 

"  Avast,  Pierce,"  replied  Stanford  ;  "  I  do  indeed  seem  all  aback, 
and  to  have  lost  my  reckoning.  Let  us  return  home,  and  defer  our 
visit  to  the  ship  till  to-morrow ;  no  boat  could  possibly  live  in  such 
a  sea  as  this." 

"  Pshaw,  captain  !"  returned  the  ruffian,  "  you  surprise  me  !  you 
that  have  hitherto  been  accustomed  to  laugh  at  danger,  and  to  pun 
ish  those  who  dared  to  show  the  least  sign  of  fear  !  For  my  own 
part,  I  glory  in  such  a  night  as  this  ;  somehow  it  seems  to  come  quite 
natural  to  my  feelings.  The  voice  of  thunder  sounds  no  more  un- 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  47 

» 

pleasant  to  me  than  the  boatswain's  whistle ;  and  as  for  the  lightning 
tnat  dances  like  a  wild  demon  on  the  surface  of  the  raging  ocean, 
it  affects  me  no  more  than  a  simple  flash  in  the  pan,  at  which  1 
would  as  willingly  light  my  pipe  as  I  would  crack  a  biscuit.  The 
lads  on  board  our  gallant  craft  expect  us  to-night ;  our  boat  is  safely 
moored  in  the  cave  yonder;  I  will  take  the  helm,  and  will  be  answer 
able  for  the  consequences  :  so  come,  captain — a  stout  heart  upon 
the  matter,  and  we  shall  soon  reach  the  vessel  in  safety." 

The  observation  of  Pierce  Raker  aroused  the  pirate,  and,  without 
saying  a  word,  he  allowed  himself  to  be  led  from  the  spot,  and  to 
yield  to  the  importunities  of  his  daring  companion,  although  to  ven 
ture  in  an  open  boat  in  such  a  terrific  storm  as  that  which  was 
then  raging,  seemed  to  be  the  very  height  of  madness  and  despera 
tion.  The  scene  which  presented  itself  to  the  gaze  at  the  moment 
they  stepped  into  the  boat  and  loosened  it  from  its  moorings,  was 
perfectly  hideous,  and  on  she  dashed  with  the  velocity  of  an  arrow,' 
one  moment  raised  to  a  fearful  height,  and  anon  almost  engulphed 
in  the  bosom  of  the  mountainous  billows.  Over  the  wild  surging 
waves  the  boat  was  tossed,  but  still  the  wind  drove  her  towards  the 
pirate  bark,  which  the  elemental  fire  at  intervals  revealed,  the  wa 
ters  of  the  deep  every  instant  sweeping  over  her  bulwarks,  and 
threatening  immediate  destruction.  There  was  one  broad  sheet 
of  lightning  more  terrific  than  any  they  had  yet  witnessed,  which 
spread  a  lurid  glare  for  miles  around,  and  Pierce  was  startled  by  a 
sudden  exclamation  of  horror  from  his  companion ;  and,  turning  his 
gaze  towards  him,  he  beheld  him  with  fixed  eyes  staring  at  a  certain 
part  of  the  ocean,  and  saw  that  he  was  convulsed  with  the  most 
powerful  emotion  in  every  limb,  while  his  face  was  as  pale  as  that 
of  a  corpse. 

"Why,  captain,"  said  the  ruffian,  "what  the  devil's  in  the  breeze 
now  ?  What  are  you  staring  at  so  intently  ?" 

"  Do  you  not  see  him  ?"  gasped  forth  Mark  Stanford,  in  reply. 

"  See  him  ? — who  ?"  demanded  Pierce :  *'  have  you  turned  child 
again,  or  are  you  dreaming?" 

"No!"  returned  tne  pirate-captain,  in  a  hoarse  voice;  "by  h — 1, 
he  has  kept  his  word  !  See !  see !  he  approaches  us,  borne  on  the 
crest  of  the  billows :  and  now — oh,  horror ! — the  blue  lightning's 
•lash  reveals  to  me,  distinctly,  his  glassy  eyes  fixed  full  upon  me ! 


48    •  JACK   IUNK;  OR, 

He  will  come  in  contact  with  our  boat !  Look — look,  man,  and 
judge  for  yourself!" 

Pierce  Raker  did  indeed  follow  the  direction  in  which  Stanford 
pointed,  and  there,  in  the  broad  glare  of  the  lightning,  and  riding 
erect,  breast  high  above  the  waves,  was  the  corpse  of  poor  old  Reu 
ben  of  the  Cliff,  driven  rapidly  towards  the  boat,  and  with  its  filmy 
eyes  apparently  fixed  intently  upon  them,  with  the  same  awful  ex 
pression  which  had  characterized  them  when  he  gave  utterance  to 
his  dying  curse. 

"  By  the  infernal  host  !?>  shouted  Pierce,  in  a  voice  that  might  be 
heard  beyond  the  thunder,  *'  what  bitter  mockery  is  this  ?  Shall  the 

deep  thus  disgorge  its  food,  as  if  to  mock  and  defy  us  ?  D n ! 

the  old  lubber  is  bearing  down  upon  us,  as  if  he  had  a  design  to 
swamp  us  altogether.  Hold  hard,  captain,  and  I  will  lower  his  top 
sail  in  the  twirling  of  a  handspike." 

Onward,  and  onward  more  rapidly,  came  the  corpse,  while  Mark 
Stanford  was  completely  bound  up  in  horror,  and  could  not  find 
strength  to  articulate  a  syllable ;  and  his  ferocious  companion, 
although  he  attempted  to  pass  off  the  circumstance  with  such  bra 
vado,  was  scarcely  less  alarmed,  and  wished  himself  on  shore  again. 
Another  instant,  and  a  wave  washed  it  in  the  same  position,  directly 
to  the  head  of  the  boat — and  there,  as  if  by  some  supernatural  agen 
cy,  it  became 'fixed  for  a  minute  or  two,  and  its  livid  features  were 
fully  revealed  to  the  two  wretches  in  the  boat. 

"  Fiends  of  hell !"  shouted  Stanford,  at  length  worked  up  to  a 
pitch  of  distraction  ;•"  why  torture  me  thus?  Down — down,  fowl 
corpse,  and  no  longer  sear  my  eyes  with  your  presence  !" 

Was  it  the  effect  of  conscience  that  worked  upon  the  imagination 
of  the  murderers  at  that  moment,  or  could  it  be  reality  ?  But  as 
Mark  Stanford  gave  utterance  to  these  words,  a  ghastly  smile  seemed 
to  overspread  the  livid  features  of  the  corpse ;  and  as  the  waves 
dashed  the  body  away  from  the  boat,  still  erect,  and  distinctly  re 
vealed  in  the  glare  of  the  lightning,  a  hollow  laugh  seemed  to  vibrate 
in  their  ears,  and  was  heard  above  the  voice  of  the  tempest  until  it 
finally  vanished  in  the  distance.  All  then  became  profoundly  dark, 
the  senses  of  the  pirate  captain  reeled,  and  he  sank  back  helplessly 
in  the  boat. 

They  approached  the  vessel  nearer  and  nearer ;  and  when  they 
had  got  within  a  short  distance  of  it,  perceiving  that  many  of  the 


A 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS  51 

pirate  crew  were  upon  deck,  the}  shouted  at  the  top  of  their  voices 
for  assistance ;  for  the  boat  was  now  half  full  of  water,  and  their 
destruction  seemed  inevitable.  Another  tremendous  wave  dashed 
them  nearly  under*  the  ship's  bows,  and  at  the  same  time  she  filled 
and  was  immediately  sinking,  when  a  couple  of  ropes  were  thrown 
over  the  side  of  the  vessel,  to  which  they  clung  with  desperate 
energy,  a'nd  were  hauled  safely  on  deck. 

The  appearance  of  Mark  Stanford  and  his  villainous  companion, 
caused  the  utmost  astonishment  of  the  crew  of  the  Raven  ;  for, 
notwithstanding  they  had  received  due  intimation  of  their  coming, 
of  course  they  had  never  expected  that  they  would  venture  in  such 
a  storm  as  that  which  was  then  raging,  and  at  such  a  nocturnal 
hour. 

".Why,  captain,"  observed  one  of  the  fellows,  "you  must  have  a 
stouter  heart  than  even  we  knew  you  to  possess,  to  brave  the  ocean 
in  such  a  cockle-shell  of  a  craft  in  such  a  tempest  as  this ;  and  you 
and  Pierce  may  think  yourselves  devilish  lucky  that  you  have 
reached  the  ship  before  you  were  capsized.  But  how  pale  you  look 
—you—" 

"Enough!"  interrupted  Stanford,  sternly;  "delay  your  remarks 
till  some  more  fitting  opportunity ;  I  am  in  no  humor  to  listen  to 
them  now.  Pierce,  follow  me  below." 

The  pirate  crew  retired  in  obedience  to  the  commands  of  their 
captain,  and  Pierce  Raker,  taking  his  arm,  accompanied  him  to  his 
cabin.  Stanford  threw  himself  on  a  seat,  and  for  a  few  minutes 
gazed  wildly  and  vacantly  around  him. 

"  Why,  captain,"  said  Raker,  "  the  adventure  of  the  night  seems 
to  have  taken  you  all  aback,  if  it  has  not  capsized  you  altogether 
Arouse  yourself;  and  since  v:e  have  escaped,  all  the  dangers  to 
which  we  were  lately  exposed,  let  us  consult  what  is  best  now  to  he 
uone.  You  have  fixed  your  thoughts  upon  Kate  Markham,  and 
have  determined  to  possess  her  ?" 

"  Yes,"  replied  Stanford  ;  "  and  strange  and  inconsistent  though  A 
my  conduct  may  appear  to  be,  nothing  whatever  can  alter  that  de 
termination.  The  scorn  with  which  the  damsel  has  always  treated 
me,  and  the  affectiop  which  she  lavishes  upon  the  young  sailor,  Jack 
Junk,  do  but  goad  me  on  ;  and  I  swear  that  I  will  never  rest  until 
she  is  in  my  power,  and  safe  on  board  this  gallant  bark !" 

"  Well  said,  captain,"  remarked  Pierce  ;  "  there  you  spoke  like 

• 


52  JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

yourself,  and  I  cannot  but  commend  you  for  your  resolution.  Kate 
Markham  will  be  the  pride  and  ornament  of  the  Black  Raven.  Oh 
where  is  one  more  worthy  of  becoming  the  pirate's  bride?  Her 
presence  will  urge  us  on  to  fresh  deeds  of  daring  ;  and  henceforth 
the  fame  of  the  rover  of  the  seas  will  become  more  widely  spread 
over  the  world." 

"  The  storm  still  howls  with  unabated  fury,"  said  Mark  Stanford, 
after  a  pause  ;  "  it  never  before  had  such  a  powerful  effect  upon  me. 
We  cannot  venture  from  the  ship  until  it  has  abated." 

"  And  why  should  we  ?"  demanded  Pierce  ;  "are  we  not  better 
where  we  are,  surrounded  by  our  brave  crew,  and  ready  for  any 
danger  that  might  threaten  us  ?" 

"  True,"  coincided  the  captain;  "but  we  have  nothing  to  fear. 
We  have  long  anchored  in  this  port  without  suspicion,  and,  now 
the  fleet  has  departed,  we  have  less  reason  to  apprehend  danger 
than  ever." 

"  Certainly,"  returned  his  companion  ;  "  besides,  I  suppose  now 
that  Jack  Junk  is  out  of  the  way,  and  you  have  got  rid  of  this  old 
Reuben  of  the  Cliff,  you  will  not  delay  the  execution  of  your  de 
signs  against  Kate  Markham  any  longer  than  possible  ?" 

"  No,"  answered  Stanford  ;  "  I  am  all  impatience  until  they  are 
accomplished,  and  I  have  already  made  up  my  mind  as  to  the  means 
I  will  adopt  to  get  the  damsel  in  my  power.  There  is  no  one,  you 
know,  resides  with  Kate  Markham  but  her  uncle  and  his  daughter 
Constance.  The  house  is  situated  in  a  secluded  spot,  and  at.  some 
distance  from  any  other  habitation ;  so  what  can  be  more  easy  than 
to  make  an  attack  on  it  at  night,  and  bear  her  away  ?" 

"  True,"  said  Pierce  ;  "  we  have  every  means  to  accomplish  such 
a  design,  and  it  will  be  our  own  fault  if  we  be  discovered,  or  even 
suspected.  In  the  darkness  of  night,  Kate  Markham  can  be  borne 
with  perfect  safety  on  board  this  vessel,  and  then  your  triumph  will 
be  complete ;  but  there  is  one  thing  I  would  suggest  to  you,  and 
which  seems  to  have  escaped  your  mind." 

"And  what  is  that ?"  demanded  Stanford. 

"Should  you  retire  from  the  farm  immediately  after  the  abduction 
of  Kate,  suspicion  would  naturally  alight  upon  you." 

"  Why,  that  idea  is  reasonable  enough,"  replied  Mark,  "  and  it 
has  before  occurred  to  me.  At  any  rate,  it  will  be  desirable  for  me 
to  rema  n  at  the  farm  for  a  day  or  two  after  the  seizure  of  Kate,  or 


THE    TAE    TOE    ALL    WEATHERS.  68 

they  will  at  once,  as  you  say,  conclude  that  I  am  the  author  of  all 
that  has  taken  place." 

"  Certainly,"  said  Pierce ;  "  moreover,  it  is  necessary  that  we 
should  be  in  readiness  to  set  sail  at  a  moment's  warning.  You  had 
better  give  the  lads  the  necessary  instructions  to  be  in  readiness  in 
case  of  any  emergency." 

"  Yes,"  agreed  Stanford,  "and  it  was  for  that  purpose  that  I 
came  here  to-night.  However,  they  will  need  but  little  instruction 
from  me  ;  the  daring  crew  of  the  Black  Raven  are  always  prepared 
to  encounter  any  danger  that  may  threaten  them,  and  to  surmount 
it.  But  come,  we  need  some  refreshment  after  the  extraordinary 
and  exciting  events  of  the  night ;  so  let  us  rejoin  our  comrades,  and 
endeavor  to  banish  the  effects  of  them  until  this  tempest  is  abated, 
and  we  may  gain  the  shore  in  safety." 

To  this  proposition,  of  course,  Pierce  Raker  could  raise  no  ob 
jection,  and  they  therefore  rejoined  the  remainder  of  the  pirates 
accordingly,  to  whom  Mark  Stanford  briefly  communicated  his  de 
signs  as  regarded  Kate,  and  instructed  them  to  hold  themselves  in 
readinees  for  her  reception  on  board.,  and  oe  ready  to  sail  at  a  mo 
ment's  notice. 

The  ruffians  all  applauded  the  resolution  of  their  captain,,  and  in 
the  mosc  tumultuous  manner  tney  pieagea  the  health  of  their  inhu 
man  chief,  and  his  destined  victim,  and  drank  success  to  their  future 
undertakings  on  the  deep. 


JACK  JUNK:  OK. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  body  of  Reuben  of  the  Cliff  discovered — The  Consternation— 
The  Determination  of  Mark  Stanford  and  the  Pirate  Crew — The 
Night  of  Horror — Seizure  of  Kate  and  Fearful  Death  of  Mr. 
Markham. 

/  • 

THE  storm  confirmed  its  ravages  until  the  middle  of  the  following 
day,  when  the  wind  lulled,  the  sun  broke  forth,  and  all  became  com 
paratively  calm.  It  had  been  a  terrible  night  for  all  who  resided 
for  miles  along  the  coast ;  steep  had  been  a  stranger  to  them,  and 
many  were  the  prayers  that  were  offered  up  to  the  Most  High  for 
the  preservation  of  the  hardy  sons  of  the  ocean,  who  were  exposed 
to  all  its  terrors.  Great  were  the  fears  that  were  entertained  for 
the  safety  of  the  noble  fleet  that  had  sailed  on  the  previous  day ; 
and  young  and  old  flocked  to  the  beach  in  fearful  anticipation  of, 
the  sad  havoc  that  might  have  been  committed  among  the  different 
vessels  that  were  still  anchored  in  the  harbor ;  for  such  had  been 
the  terrible  violence  of  the  late  tempest,  that  it  would  have  been 
utterly  impossible  to  have  ventured  to  render 'any  assistance,  inevit 
able  destruction  threatening  all  those  who  might  have  been  hardy 
eirough  to  brave  the  horrors  of  the  deep  on  such  a  frightful  occasion. 
Several  of  the  vessels  had  been  driven  from  their  mooring,  and 
were  no  where  to  be  seen  ;  while  others  had  boldly  braved  the 
storm,  and-  remained  apparently  comparatively  but  little  injured ; 
and  amongst  them  shone  the  pirate  vessel,  the  Black  Raven,  supposed 
to  be  the  fair  trader,  the  Enterprise. 

The  spirits  of  poor  Kate  gradually  revived  when  she  beheld  the 
favorable  change  in  the  weather,  and  devoutly  she  offered  up  her 
prayers  to  heaven  for  the  preservation  of  her  lover,  and  in  which  she 
was  most  earnestly  joined  by  her  cousin,  Constance.  Old  Joe 


THE    TAB    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  0$ 

Trennant  was  early  at  the  house  of  his  friend  Markham,  and  did  his 
best  to  quiet  the  fears  of  all  interested. 

"  It  has  been  a  rough  night  to  be  sure,"  remarked  the  old  veteran  ; 
"  and  seldom  in  all  the  voyages  I  have  made,  have  I  witnessed  such 
a  storm.  Many  a  brave  fellow,  I  fear,  has  met  with  an  ocean  grave  ; 
it  is  a  sad  thought ;  but  avast,  avast,  Joe,  it  -is  a  noble  death,  and 
those  who  have  met  it  are,  I  hope,  moored  in  the  haven  of  happi 
ness.  Come  Kate,  my  pretty  lass,  now  do  not  again  be  hoisting 
those  signals  of  distress,  but  hold  hard  by  the  anchor  of  hope.  Your 
lover,  I  trust,  is  quite  safe,  and  will  still  be  able  to  steer  clear  of  the 
shoals  of  destruction." 

Kate  faintly  smiled  at  the  warmth  of  the  honest  old  seaman ;  but 
her  mind  was  still  tormented  with  mingled  hopes,  doubts,  and  appre 
hensions,  and  it  was  a  completely  fruitless  task  for  her  to  try  to  regain 
her  wonted  composure. 

"I  cannot  remain  here,"  she  said;  "let  us  wander  to  the  beach, 
that  we  may  gaze  upon  that  deep  which  was  the  scene  of  so  many 
terrors." 

"  What  a  strange  and  extravagant  idea,  my  dear  niece,"  observed 
Mr.  Markham  ;  "  you  had  better  abandon  it ,  what  good  can  result 
from  that  which  must  naturally  create  so  many  melancholy 
thoughts  ?" 

"  Do  not  refuse  me,  my  dear  Sir,"  said  Kate,  "  for  I  feel  an  irre 
sistible  impulse  to  obey  the  dictates  of  my  own  heart ;  and  something 
seems  to  whisper  to  me  that  I  shall  obtain  some  consolation  in  the 
contemplation  of  that  vast  deep  on  which  my  poor  Jack  has  em 
barked  his  fate.  Come,  my  uncle,  Constance,  and  Mr.  Trennant, 
you  will  accompany  me  ;  it  may  appear  an  extraordinary  fancy,  I 
am  ready  to  admit,  but,  at  least,  do  not  refuse  me  from  indulging  in 
it." 

Finding  that  it  would  be  useless  to  attempt  to  dissuade  her,  and 
hoping  that  it  might  alleviate  the  anguish  of  her  mind,  Mr.  Mark- 
ham  and  the  others  no  longer  raised  any  objection,  and  issuing  forth 
from  the  house,  they  made  their  way  to  the  sea-beach.  On  arriving 
within  sight  of  the  cliffs  upon  which  the  hovel  of  the  unfortunate  and 
mysterious  man,  Reuben,  was  situated,  Kate  paused,  and  all  the 
strange  events  that  had  occurred  to  her  and  Constance  at  their  in 
terview  with  him,  rushed  as  fresh  and  vividly  upon  her  memory  as 
if  they  had  only  been  enacted  the  present  hour.  She  c  "mid  not  help 


56  JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

shuddwing,  ind  she  turned  very  pale ;  and  her  uncle,  who  immedi 
ately  noticnl  her  emotion,  inquired  the  cause  of  it. 

"  Nothing,  nothing,  dear  uncle,"  said  the  damsel,  "  it  was  only  a 
weak  arvl  unaccountable  sensation  which  suddenly  came  over  me  ; 
but  it  is  at  an  end  now.  This  is  a  wild  and  cheerless  spot,  and — " 

"And  yet,"  added  Mr.  Markham,  "  that  very  remarkable  old  man. 
Reuben  of  the  Cliff,  as  he  is  called,  has  chosen  to  take  up  his  resi 
dence  here.  It  is  stated  by  some  persons  that  he  is  possessed  of  the 
gift  of  foresight,  and  can  penetrate  into  the  secrets  of  futurity.  Poor 
old  man,  his  intellect  must  be  deranged,  that  is  very  certain ;  how 
ever,  from  all  that  I  have  seen  or  heard  of  him,  I  believe  he  is  per 
fectly  harmless,  and,  therefore,  I  do  not  see  why  any  person  should 
interfere  with  his  singular  whims." 

"  Very  true,  sir,"  returned  Kate  ;  "  but  let  us  proceed  ;  for,  I  con 
fess,  I  feel  a  kind  of  dread  while  remaining  on  this  wild  spot." 

Suddenly  their  attention  was  attracted  by  something  that  was 
being  drifted  on  the  surface  of  the  ocean  towards  the  shore,  and  on 
its  approaching  nearer,  they  perceived  it  was  a  long  track  of  .sea 
weed,  in  which  the  body  of  a  human  being  seemed  to  be  entangled, 
and  was  floating  head  uppermost.  It  was  dashed  more  rapidly  on 
wards,  and  at  length  a  powerfu  wave  washed  it  on  the  beach,  im 
mediately  at  the  feet  of  Kate  Markham  and  her  friends.  She  utter- 
ed  a  faint  scream  of  mingled  astonishment  and  terror,  and  several  of 
the  other  persons  assembled,  rushed  to  the  spot,  and  stooping  down, 
the  ghastly  and  distorted  features  of  the  ill-fated  Reuben  of  the  Cliff, 
with  his  eyes  wide  open,  revealed  themselves  to  the  horror-struck 
gaze  of  all  present. 

A  deadly  sickness  came  over  our  heroine,  and  she  could  not  re 
move  her  eyes  from  the  corpse ;  but  Mr.  Markham  and  the  others, 
examining  it  more  minutely,  beheld  the  frightful  and  gaping  wounds 
in  the  side,  and  then  the  horrible  fate  which  had  befallen  the  old 
man,  became  perfectly  apparent. 

'•  A  foul  and  cowardly  murder  has  been  committed,"  said  Mr. 
Markham  ;  "  what  wretch  or  wretches  have  done  this  ?" 

"  Oh,  horror !"  gasped  forth  Kate  ;  "  so  soon,  too,  after — wretched 
old  man !  could  not  thy  gray  hairs  stay  the  hand  of  the  inhuman 
assassin? — I  cannot  gaze  upon  the  ghastly  and  mutilated  corpse. 
Oh,  let  us  begone ! — May  Heaven  visit  those  monsters  who  have 
perpetrated  this  hideous  crime  with  its  most  terrible  vengeance !" 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  87 

She  covered  her  face  with  her  hands,  to  shut  out  the  revolting 
sight,  and  the  deepest  anguish  agitated  her  gentle  and  susceptible 
breast. 

"  Let  the  corpse  of  the  ill-fated  man-  be  conveyed  to  his  miserable 
hovel,"  said  Mr.  Markham,  "  and  the  proper  authorities  being  in 
formed  of  the  circumstance,  every  inquiry  must  immediately  be 
made,  which  may  lead  to  the  detection  and  punishment  of  the  mur 
derer  or  murderers." 

Several  of  the  persons  assembled  on  the  spot,  who  all  expressed 
their  horror,  raised  the  mangled  body  from  the  earth,  and  in  obedJ- 
ence  to  the  instructions  of  Mr.  Markham,  conveyed  it  to  the  hovel 
which  Reuben  had  occupied  while  living ;  and  Mr.  Markham  and 
Constance,  taking  the  arm  of  our  heroine,  supported  her  trembling 
form  towards  home  ;  where,  on  arriving,  it  was  sometime  before  she 
could  recover  from  the  shock  her  feelings  had  sustained. 

The  savage  murder  of  poor  old  Reuben  of  the  Cliff,  caused  the 
greatest  sensation  in  the  neighborhood,  and  every  means  that  reason 
could  suggest,  was  adopted  to  discover  the  atrocious  assassin,  but 
without  any  prospect  of  success ;  for  such  was  the  secrecy  with 
which  it  had  been  perpetrated,  that  it  was  impossible  for  suspicion 
to  alight  on  any  one  ;  and  i,t  seemed  more  than  likely  that  the  dread 
ful  circumstance  would  ever  remain  involved  in  mystery.  A  strict 
search  was  made  in  the  hovel,  but  nothing  whatever  was  discovered 
which  was  calculated  to  lead  to  any  idea  as  to  who  the  old  man 
really  was,  and  what  could  be  his  motives  for  taking  up  so  singular  a 
course  of  life. 

In  the  meantime  Mark  Stanford  and  the  other  pirates  exulted  in 
the  thought  of  the  impenetrable  mystery  that  prevailed  as  to  who 
were  the  real  assassins  of  the  unfortunate  Reuben ;  and  they  felt 
perfectly  satisfied  that  if  they  kept  their  own  counsel,  there  was  no 
possibility  of  its' ever  -being  discovered.  But  the  guilty  conscience 
of  the  monster,  Stanford,  was  far  from  being  at  ease  ;  and  the  dy 
ing  words  and  ghastly  looks  of  the  murdered  man  continually 
haunted  his  imagination.  He,  however,  determined  to  persevere  in 
his  diabolical  designs  against  Kate  Markham,  and  he  had  not  the 
least  doubt  but  that  he  would  meet  with  all  the  success  he  could  wish. 

For  the  last  few  days  he  had  not  ventured  much  from  the  house, 
and  had  always  most  sedulously  avoided  the  presence  of  Kate  or  hei 
friends,  so  that  suspicions  of  his  intentions  might  be  stifled  ;  but  ht 


58  JACK    JUNK  ;    OK, 

iosl  not  a  moment  in  maturing  his  plans,  and  the  time  seemed  now 
to  be  rapidly  approac.iing,  when  he  might  safely  put  them  into  ex- 
ecution. 

It  was  night,  and  Mark  Stanford  and  his  worthy  colleague,  Pierce, 
were  seated  together  in  one  of  the  rooms  before  described,  at  the 
back  of  the  house.  This  was  about  a  fortnight  after  the  departure 
of  our  hero,  and  the  events  taking  place  which  we  have  described. 

"  There  is  no  other  way  of  accomplishing  it,  captain,"  observed 
Pierce,  in  continuation  of  the  conversation :  "  to  be  crowned  with 
success  in  any  desperate  undertaking,  desperate  and  determined 
means  must  always  be  adopted.  There  is  no  chance  of  onr  being 
enabled  to  ensnare  the  girl  into  our  power,  and  therefore  our  only 
way  is,  to  seize  her  by  a  coup  de  main.  One  bold  effort,  and  she  is 
yours  ;  and  once  on  board  the  Raven,  we  may  set  pursuit  and  dis 
covery  at  defiance." 

"  True,"  said  Stanford  ;  "  and  if  we  make  an  attack  upon  the 
house  at  midnight,  there  is  no  danger,  I  should  think,  of  our  being 
interrupted." 

•  "  Not  the  least,"  answered  Pierce  ;  "  if  we  can  only  manage  to 
elude  the  preventive  service,  which,  by  common  prudence  and  pre 
caution,  we  can  easily  do.  The  house  where  Kate  resides,  is  situ 
ated  in  the  most  lonely  part,  and  there  is  no  one  but  old  Markham 
to  protect  her  ;  so,  what  chance  is  there  of  our  plans  being  defeated  ?" 

"  None  that  I  see  at  present,"  said  Mark.  "  I  feel  the  greatest 
confidence  in  my  triumph." 

"  Then  the  sooner  we  set  about  the  execution  of  our  plot,  the 
better." 

"  Exactly  so." 

"  But  in  order  to  carry  out  our  scheme  with  safety,  it  will  be  uc- 
cessary  to  delay  the  seizure  of  Kate  for  some  time  longer,"  re 
marked  Pierce. 

"  Well,  suppose  we  say  a  week  from  the  present  time  ?  A  few 
days  will  not  make  such  a  vast  deal  of  difference." 

"  Very  true  :  be  it  so.     That,  then,  is  decided  on." 

"  It  is,"  replied  Mark  Stanford  ;  "  and  in  the  meantime,  in  order 
the  better  to  forward  my  plot,  I  will  play  the  hypocrite,  visit  old 
Markham  in  a  friendly  way,  pretend  to  feel  regret  for  my  past  bold 
ness,  solicit  his  forgiveness,  and  that  of  his  fair  niece,  and  bid  them 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  69 

farewell.  Ha  !  ha !  if  that  does  not  deceive  them  and  remove  sus 
picion  from  me,  I  don't  know  what  will." 

"  Ay,  captain,"  said  Pierce,  "  it  is  well  contrived,  and  I  have  not 
the  least  doubt  that  you  will  execute  it  with  your  usual  ability." 

The  two  villains,  having  thus  arranged  their  infamous  plans  to 
their  mutual  satisfaction,  after  some  further  conversation,  retired  for 
the  night. 

Two  or  three  days  elapsed  without  any  thing  particular  occur 
ring,  and  the  melancholy  of  Kate  suffered  but  little  abatement, 
though  Constance  and  her  father  did  all  they  could  to  console  her, 
and  inspire  her  with  hope. 

Kate  and  her  cousin  and  Markham,  were  seated  one  afternoon  in 
the  parlor  of  their  dwelling,  when  they  were  suddenly  startled  and 
surprised  by  the  appearance  of  Mark  Stanford,  who  they  had  hoped 
would  never  have  the  boldness  to  obtrude  upon  their  society  again. 
Immediately  on  his  entrance  Kate  and  her  cousin  arose  from  their 
seats,  and  courtseying  coldly,  they  abruptly  quitted  the  room.  Stan 
ford  bit  his  lips,  but  concealed  his  chagrin  as  well  as  he  could,  and 
bowing  to  Mr.  Markham  with  studied  politeness,  he  inquired  re 
spectfully  after  his  health.  Mr.  Markham  returned  a  suitable  reply, 
and  then  added : 

"  To  what  may  I  be  indebted  for  the  honor  of  this  visit,  Mr.  Stan 
ford  ?" 

"The.  honor  is  mine,  Mr.  Markham,"  replied  the  pirate,  with  a 
gracious  smile.  "  I  have  come  to  request  a  favor  of  you." 

"  A  favor  from  me,  sir  ?"  said  Mr.  Markham,  with  a  look  of 
surprise. 

"Yes,  Mr.  Markham,"  answered  Stanford;  " I  have  to  request 
your  patience  while  I  explain  myself." 

"  Proceed,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Markham,  rather  impatiently. 

"  I  need  not  inform  you,  Mr.  Markham,"  continued  Stanford,  "  that 
the  great  personal  and  intrinsic  charms  of  your  amiable  niece,  cap 
tivated  my  heart  from  the  moment  I  beheld  her,  and " 

"  Sir  ?"  interrupted  Mr.  Markham,  and  rising,  angrily. 

*'  Bear  with  me,  my  dear  sir,  a  few  moments,  I  beg  of  you,"  re 
turned  Stanford,  "  and  do  not  misunderstand  me.  I  repeat,  that  I 
loved  your  niece,  but  her  heart  was  unfortunately  another's,  and 
there  was  nothing  left  to  me  but  despair  ;  but  still,  so  powerful  was 
the  passion  that  reigned  within  my  breast,  that  I  could  not  readily 


60  JACK    JUNK  J    OR, 

resign  my  hopes :  I  confessed  my  love — was  rejected ;  but  still  I 
ventured  to  prosecute  my  suit ;  in  that  I  own  I  was  wrong,  very- 
wrong — and  it  is  for  that  I  have  to  supplicate  your  forgiveness,  and 
that  of  MissMarkham,  your  niece.  From  this  time  you  nor  she 
will  never  again  receive  any  annoyance  from  me :  circumstances 
have  compelled  me  to  dispose  of  the  farm,  and  retire  to  a  distant 
land.  It  is  quite  uncertain  whether  this  country  will  ever  behold  me 
again ;  but,  wherever  I  am,  I  assure  you  that  I  shall  never  cease  to 
remember  yourself,  the  amiable  Kate,  and  her  fair  cousin,  with  the 
most  unfeigned  respect,  and  to  feel  the  most  poignant  regret  that 
I  should  ever  have  caused  her,  or  any  one  connected  with  her,  a 
moment's  uneasiness." 

Mr.  Markham  looked  at  him  narrowly ;  his  words  surprised  him 
but  they  were  spoken  with  so  much  apparent  sincerity,  that  he  could 
not  doubt  him. 

"Mr.  Stanford,"  he  remarked,  "I  accept  your  apology  with  the 
same  frankness  with  which  it  appears  to  be  given ;  and  as  it  is  a 
subject  which  cannot  be  altogether  pleasing  to  either  of  us,  we  will 
say  no  more  upon  it.  I  bear  you  no  ill-will ;  neither,  I  am  certain, 
will  my  gentle  niece  do  so,  notwithstanding  all  that  has  taken  place. 
I  wish  you  prosperity,  sir,  wherever  you  may  go." 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Markham,  for  your  kind  wishes,"  returned 
Stanford,  with  the  same  assumption  of  respect ;  "  my  course  is  bent 
to  a  far-distant  land — and,  as  it  is  not  likely  that  we  shall  ever  meet 
again,  it  will  afford  me  much  gratification  to  know  that,  at  any  rate, 
we  do  not  part  bad  friends.  May  I  request  you  to  convey  my  sen 
timents  to  your  amiable  niece  ?" 

"  I  will  do  so,"  answered  Mr.  Markham  ;  "  and  I  feel  convinced 
that  she  will  receive  them  with  much  satisfaction,  and  will  bury 
the  past  in  oblivion." 

Mark  Stanford  again  returned  his  acknowledgements,  and,  after 
a  few  more  observations,  he  politely  took  his  leave,  secretly  exulting 
at  the  success  of  his  scheme,  and  the  manner  in  which  he  had  de 
ceived  Mr.  Markham. 

"  The  fool !"  he  muttered  to  himself,  as  he  proceeded  towards  his 
home,  "  he  little  imagines  the  deep-laid  scheme  I  have  in  contem 
plation  ;  and  that,  so  far  from  abandoning  my  designs  against  his 
aiece,  I  have  so  matured  my  plans  that  she  cannot  possibly  escape 
me.  I  go  to  a  distant  land,  but  Kate  Markham  shall  be  the  com- 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  01 

panion  ot  my  voyage ;  she  shall  become  the  pirate's  mistress,  and 
I  will  fully  revenge  myself  for  the  scorn  and  hatred  with  which  she 
has  hitherto  treated  me.  Jack  Junk,  should  you  ever  return  again 
to  your  native  land,  it  will  be  to  meet  sorrow  and  disappointment. 
I  triumph !" 

Thus  soliloquizing  with  himself,  the  villain  reached  his  home 
where  he  found  Raker  anxiously  awaiting  him. 

"  Well,  what  success,  captain  ?"  he  inquired. 

"  All  that  I  could  wish,"  replied  Stanford.  "  I  have  played  my 
cards  with  my  usual  skill,  and  old  Markham  is  completely  de 
ceived." 

Kate  had  now  become  more  tranquil  in  her  mind,  though  she 
could  not  help,  at  times,  feeling  some  strange  and  sad  presentiments 
that  some  misfortune  was  about  to  befall  them,  which  they  would 
find  it  impossible  to  avert. 

"  Why  do  you  persist  in  encouraging  such  painful  apprehensions, 
my  dear  cousin  ?"  said  Constance  :  "  what  danger  should  you  fear? 
The  only  one  whom  you  had  cause  to  dread,  was  Stanford ;  but  he 
is  now  far  away,  and  I  feel  confident  that  he  will  never  annoy  you 
again.  Come,  come,  arouse  yourself,  and  endeavor  to  look  forward 
lo  the  future  with  hope  and  tranquillity." 

'  Alas,  Constance,"  replied  our  heroine,  "you  may  deem  me  weak 
and  foolish,  but  indeed  I  find  it  impossible  to  conquer  the  melancholy 
feelings  that  have  occupied  my  mind  throughout  the  day.  I  fear 
to  go  to  rest,  for  it  seems  to  me  as  if  some  fearful  calamity  were 
impending  over  me,  and  which  it  will  be  totally  impossible  for  me 
to  avert.  I  wish  to  Heaven  it  was  morning." 

"  How  extraordinary  and  unaccountable  this  is,"  remarked  Con 
stance  :  "  what  danger  should  threaten  you  ?  Come,  let  us  seek 
our  pillow,  and  sleep  will  soon  banish  these  gloomy  ideas|from  your 
brain." 

"  No,  Constance,"  returned  our  heroine ;  "  I  do  not  feel  the  least 
inclined  for  sleep ;  I  will  sit  here  till  daylight." 

"  Would  that  I  could  persuade  you,"  said  Constance ;  "  for,  really, 
such  ideas  appear  to  me  most  unreasonable." 

"  They  may  appear  so,"  said  Kate  ;  "  but  I  find  that  it  is  com 
pletely  useless  for  me  to  try  to  divest  my  mind  of  them.  Hailu 
what  noise  was  that  below  ?" 


(52  JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

"  Nonsense,  Kate !"  replied  ner  cousin  ;  "  you  are  suffering  yooi 
imagination  to  deceive  you.  I  heard  nothing." 

"  Oh,  I  am  certain  I  could  not  have  been  mistaken,"  returned  oui 
heroine ,  "  it  sounded  like  the  hasty  closing  of  a  door  below." 

"  It  was  nothing  but  the  wind,  depend  upon  it,  which  is  certainly 
very'  high  and  boisterous.  Come,  come,  arouse  yourself." 

Kate  shook  her  head,  and  her  countenance,  which  was  very  pale, 
showed  plainly  the  emotions  which  tortured  her  bosom,  and  which 
gained  strength  every  moment. 

The  storm  which  had  so  long  threatened,  now  commenced  with 
great  violence ;  and  the  rain  pattered  loudly  against  the  windows  ; 
and  the  wind  blew  so  violently,  that  it  shook  the  very  house  to  its 
foundation.  Kate  kept  imagining  she  heard  strange  noises  proceed 
ing  from  below — and  her  apprehensions  became  at  last  so  powerful, 
that  she  almost  dreaded  to  look  around  her. 

"  Would  that  my  uncle  had  not  retired  to  rest,"  she  said ;  "  or 
that  the  morning  was  here.  Something  terrible,  I  feel  convinced, 
is  about  to  happen." 

"  Kidiculous  !"  said  Constance  ;  "  I  really  shall  lose  all  patience 
with  you,  my  dear  Kate,  if  you  thus  persist  in  giving  way  to  such 
idle  and  groundless  fears." 

"Hist!  hist!"  ejaculated  her  cousin,  in  a  faint  voice,  and  suddenly 
laying  her  hand  upon  her  arm.  "  There !  there ! — did  you  not  hear 
that?" 

"  I  heard  nothing  but  the  wind,"  replied  Constance. 

"Oh,  no,"  gasped  forth  Kate,  "I  am  certain  I  was  not  mistaken. 
It  sounded  like  the  suppressed  mutterings  of  human  voices,  and  the 
cautious  treadinga  of  footsteps  on  the  stairs.  There  again — you 
must  hear  that." 

Constance  did,  indeed,  at  that  moment  distinctly  hear  sounds  such 
as  Kate  described ;  and  they  clung  together,  and  held  their  breath, 
in  a  state  of  great  alarm  and  astonishment.  Louder  and  louder 
the  sounds  became,  and  they  appeared  to  be  immediately  outside 
the  door.  Worked  up  to  a  pitch  of  the  greatest  terror,  the  fair 
cousins  uttered  a  simultaneous  scream,  and  the  next  instant  the  door 
was  burst  open,  and  several  of  the  pirates,  wearing  black  masks, 
and  all  armed,  appeared  on  the  threshold. 

"Cease  your  cries,  for  they  are  useless!"  exclaimed  the  well- 
known  voice  of  Mark  Stanford,  seizing  the  horror-struck  Kate  in 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHEB6.  98 

his  arms  :  "  resistance  is  in  vain.  Constance  Markham,  the  prize 
I  seek  is  your  fair,  though  scornful  cousin,  and  not  you  !  Away 
lads,  and  leave  the  other  girl  to  console  her  father  for  his  loss ! 
Mark  Stanford's  moment  of  triumph  has  arrived,  and  in  another 
hour  the  lovely  Kate  shall  be  on  board  his  gallant  pirate  barque !" 

"  Oh,  help  ! — help  !"  shrieked  Constance  ;  "  monsters !  release 
your  senseless  victim,  or  the  vengeance  of  Heaven  will  overtake 
you,  even  unprotected  though  we  are  !" 

"  Ha !  ha !  ha !"  laughed  Stanford,  scornfully ;  "  I  heed  not  your 
threats,  weak  girl ;  and  you  may  think  yourself  fortunate  that  I  do 
not  desire  you  to  accompany  us.  But  we  waste  time.  Quick,  my 
lads,  quick  !" 

Poor  Kate  had  fainted,  and  Constance  was  now  so  overpowered 
with  horror  that  she  also  sank  on  the  floor,  insensible.  Stanford, 
throwing  the  light  and  graceful  form  of  his  intended  victim  across 
his  shoulder  quitted  the  room,  followed  by  Pierce  and  the  other 
pirates,  and  hastily  descended  the  stairs  towards  the  back  of  the 
house,  at  which  they  had  effected  their  entrance ;  but  the  noise  had 
aroused  Mr.  Markham,  who,  unfortunately,  at  that  moment  made 
his  appearance  in  his  dressing-gown  on  the  landing ;  and,  on  behold 
ing  the  pirates,  and  the  insensible  form  of  his  niece,  he  started  back 
a  few  paces  in  terror  and  amazement ;  but  he  recovered  himself  in 
an  instant,  and,  rushing  desperately  on  Stanford,  he  exclaimed — 

"  Villain  !  miscreant !  midnight  robber !  and  assassin  ! — release 
this  innocent  girl,  or  my  cries  shall  rend  the  air,  and " 

"  Madman !"  interrupted  Mark  Stanford,  in  a  savage  voice, 
"  stand  back,  and  do  not  offer  a  fruitless  resistance — or  take  the 
consequences !" 

"  Ah,  Mark  Stanford,"  cried  the  old  man,  "  is  it  you  ?  Ah,  wretch ! 
wretch ! — but  I  will  resist  your  diabolical  purpose,  however  feeble 
my  arm  may  be  !" 

As  he  thus  spoke,  he  again  rushed  on  the  pirate,  and  endeavored 
to  seize  him  by  the  throat. 

"  Headstrong  fool !"  shouted  Pierce,  "  are  you  determined  to  brave 
your  fate  ?  Then  take  the  consequences  !" 

"  Hold  !  hold  !"  cried  Stanford  ;  "  take  not  his  life,  but  secure  him 
and  stop  his  noise." 

He  spoke  too  late,  however,  for  at  that  instant  the  miscreant 
Pierce  dealt  the  unfortunate  Mr.  Markham  a  terrible  blow  with  hit 


94  JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

•word  upon  the  head,  and  he  sank  bleeding  and  insensible  upon  the 
floor. 

"  By  h — 1 !  you  have  slain  him  !"  exclaimed  Mark  Stanford  ; 
"  this  is  cursed  unfortunate.  But  away  !  and  let  us  make  all  speed 
to  the  place  where  the  boat  awaits  to  carry  us  on  board." 

He  rushed  down  the  stairs  as  he  thus  spoke,  still  bearing  the 
insensible  Kate  in  his  arms,  and,  followed  by  Pierce  and  the  other 
pirates,  soon  emerged  from  the  house.  The  coast  was  quite  clear 
and  the  ruffians  hurried  on  with  the  greatest  rapidity,  and  were  soon 
far  beyond  the  spot. 

"  Fortune  be  praised  !"  ejaculated  Stanford,  as  they  proceeded ; 
"  I  triumph  !  The  girl  is  mine,  and  nothing  can  again  rescue  her 
from  my  power  ;  but  I  would  that  you  had  not  been  so  hasty,  Pierce  ; 
I  would  that  the  old  man's  life  had  been  spared." 

"  He  brought  his  fate  upon  himself  by  his  obstinacy,"  answered 
Pierce  ;  "  and  what's  the  use  of  regretting  it  now  ?  But,  perhaps 
after  all,  he  may  not  be  dead." 

"  I  hope  not,"  said  Stanford ;  "  but  quick,  while  the  girl  sill 
lemains  insensible." 

Pierce  made  no  reply,  and  they  pursued  their  way  with  increased 
speed,  and  totally  regardless  of  the  fury  of  the  battling  elements. 
Having  arrived  at  the  rocks,  they  made  their  way  through  an  open 
ing  to  the  beach,  where  the  boat  was  moored  ready  to  convey  them 
to  the  pirate  vessel.  In  two  or  three  minutes  they  were  dashing 
rapidly  over  the  deep,  and  at  length  the  boat  came  alongside  the 
ship,  and  they  all  got  safely  on  board,  where  they  were  welcomed 
by  the  shouts  of  the  pirates.  Stanford  conveyed  the  insensible  form 
of  his  destined  victim  to  a  cabin  which  had  been  prepared  for  her 
reception,  and,  having  kissed  the  poor  girPrapturously,  he  left  her  in 
charge  of  a  female,  and  returned  on  deck  to  give  orders  for  the 
anchor  to  be  weighed  immediately.  In  less  than  a  quarter  of  an 
hour,  all  was  ready,  and  the  pirate  vessel  was  dashing  swiftly,  like 
a  gigantic  bird  of  ill-omen,  over  the  deep. 

"  Hurrah !"  shouted  the  pirate  chief,  throwing  aside  his  disguise, 
and  appearing  in  his  true  character.  ''Hugh  Granfield  is  again 
upon  his  native  element,  proud  and  triumphant !  Kate  Markham, 
you  are  now  the  mistress  of  the  buccaneer,  and  must  learn  to  sub 
mit  to  no  other  will  but  his.  Rejoice,  my  lads  ;  shout  loi^g  life  and 
prosperity  to  your  captain  and  his  lovely  mate  !" 


THE    TA1    FOR    ALL    WEATHEK8.  <M 

The  rude  and  boisterous  shouts  of  the  daring  crew  of  the  Black 
Raven  rent  the  air,  and  Mark  Stanford  allowed  them  to  give  free 
indulgence  to  their  hilarity.  The  motion  of  the  vessel,  and  the 
noise  of  the  crew,  at  length  aroused  Kate,  and  opening  her  eyes  and 
starting  to  her  feet,  she  gazed  with  astonishment  and  horror  around 
her. 

"God  of  heaven  !"  she  exclaimed,  clasping  her  aching  temples; 
"  what  is  the  meaning  of  this  ?  Where  am  I  ?  Where  are  my 
friends,  and  what  has  brought  me  -hither  ?" 

The  woman,  in  whose  care  she  had  been  left,  now  advanced  to 
wards  her,  but  Kate  started  back,  alarmed  at  the  sight  of  her,  and 
ill  frantic  accents  repeated  her  questions.  f 

"  Why,  Miss  Markham,"  replied  the  woman,  "  for  that  is  your 
name,  I  believe,  I  should  think  it  would  not  take  you  much  trouble 
to  discover  that  you  are  on  board  a  ship,  and  as  gallant  a  vessel  as 
ever  stemmed  the  wave.  The  Black  Raven  must  be  your  future 
home,  and  the  rover  of  the  seas,  he  whom  you  have  hitherto  known 
only  as  Farmer  Stanford,  claims  you  for  his  mistress !" 

No  sooner  did  the  unfortunate  damsel  hear  the  terrible  announce* 
ment,  than  she  gave  utterance  to  a  piercing  shriek,  and  again  b*» 
came  insensible. 


JACK    ffMK  .    OB 


CHAPTER  V 

Catastrophe. — Distraction  of  Constance, --Kate  on  "board  th* 
Pirate. , 

RETURN  ,we  now  to  the  scene  where  the  monstrous  outrage  we 
have  been  describing  was  perpetrated.  It  was  not  until  several 
minutes  after  the  departure  of  the  pirates  with  their  unfortunate 
victim,  that  Constance  was  awakened  to  consciousness ;  and  her 
brain  was  then  tortured  to  madness  as  the  dreadful  truth  flashed 
upon  her  memory,  and  she  found  herself  alone.  Screaming  aloud 
for  heip,  and  calling  upon  the  name  of  her  cousin,  she  rushed  from 
the  chamber,  and  made  her  way  down  the  stairs  till  she  came  to 
the  landing,  when  the  bleeding  form  of  her  unfortunate  parent  me* 
her  appalled  sight ;  and,  with  a  loud  cry  of  horror,  she  sank  upon 
the  floor  by  his  side,  and  once  more  her  senses  left  her.  It  was 
gome  time  before  she  recovered  ;  and  with  what  feelings  of  dis 
traction  and  horror  did  she  then  raise  the  form  of  her  father  and 
gaze  upon  his  ghastly,  blood-stained  countenance. 

"  Father  !  father !"  she  groaned ;  "  oh,  speak  to  me ! — Almighty 
God  !  the  monsters  have  murdered  him  !" 

She  pressed  the  poor  man  in  her  arms,  and  eagerly  laid  her  hand 
upon  his  breast ;  but  she  could  not  feel  it  beat ;  and  life  appeared  to 
be  quite  extinct. 

"  Horror !  horror !"  she  exclaimed,  in  delirious  accents  ;  "  he  is  no 
more !  the  fiends  have  slain  him !  and  I  am  a  friendless,  wretched 
orphan !  Heaven,  I  invoke  your  most  terrible  retribution  for  this 
frightful,  this  hideous  crime  ! — Father !  dear  father  !  wilt  thou  never 
speak  to  me  again  ? — I  shall  go  mad — Oh,  God  !  this  trial  is  surely 
loo  severe !" 

I 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  67 

She  started,  and  uttered  a  mingled  exclamation  of  hope  and  fear, 
for  at  that  moment  a  faint  groan  escaped  the  bosom  of  her  father, 
and  he  opened  his  eyes  and  fixed  them  upon  her  with  such  an  ex 
pression  of  pity  and  regret,  as  she  could  never  forget. 

"  Ah!  all  merciful  Heaven  !"  she  cried,  "  I  thank  thee. — He  still 
lives  ! — Father,  dear  unfortunate  father,  but  one  word  !  oh,  let  your 
poor  child  but  hear  you  speak  again,  and  appease  the  horror  that  dis 
tracts  my  soui !" 

He  made  several  painful  efforts  to  speak,  but  in  vain — it  was  too 
late  ;  the  dew  of  death  already  moistened  his  brow  ;  his  eyes  grew 
dim !  he  pressed  the  hand  of  his  daughter  convulsively,  breathed  one 
groan  of  agony,  and  sank  back  a  corpse.  A  frightful  shriek  of 
agony  and  despair,  which  might  have  been  heard  far  around,  burst 
from  the  lips  of  Constance ;  her  brain  swam  round  ;  her  limbs  tot 
tered  under  her,  and  she  fell  by  the  side  of  the  corpse,  totally  un 
conscious.  Morning  dawned,  and  still  the  poor  girl  remained  in  the 
same  stupor  ;  and  it  did  not  seem  likely  that  she  would  ever  recover 
again  ;  and  it  was  not  till  old  Joe  Trennant  came  to  the  house  to 
pay  his  customary  morning  visit,  that  the  dreadful  occurrence  was 
discovered.  We  need  not  attempt  to  describe  the  horror  of  the  kind 
hearted  old  veteran  at  the  ghastly  sight ;  and  it  was  not  till  after  the 
lapse  of  a  few  minutes,  that  he  could  recover  himself  sufficiently  to 
decide  how  to  act. 

"  My  poor  old  friend  dead — murdered  !"  he  faltered  out,  in  a  bro 
ken  voice :  "  can  I  believe  my  eyes  ?  or  is  it  only  some  frightful 
dream  ?  What  monster  in  human  form  has  done  this  ?  Poor  girl, 
it  will  be  the  death  of  her. — But  where  is  Kate — the  pretty,  inno 
cent  Kate?  Ah!  what  strange  fear  is  this  that  suddenly  comes 
over  me  ?  Kate,  my  lass,  why  are  you  not  here  ?  Kit  Breezely  ! 
messmates!  all,  why  do  you  not  come  to  my  assistance?  I — I — 
oh,  shiver  my  timbers  !  if  I  couldn't  cry  like  a  lubberly  boy." 

He  drew  the  cuff  of  his  coat  across  his  eyes ;  and  for  a  few  mo 
ments  he  could  not  move  or  give  utterance  to  a  syllable ;  but  at 
length  he  raised  the  insensible  form  of  poor  Constance  from  the  floor 
and  conveyed  her  into  the  apartment,  placing  her  on  a  sofa.  He, 
then,  with  a  heavy  heart,  also  removed  the  body  of  his  ill-fated 
friend  into  another  room,  and  rushed  franticly  over  the  house,  call, 
ing  upon  the  name  of  Kate  ;  but  his  anguish  and  despair  were  al> 
most  insupportable,  when  he  discovered  that  she  was  not  there. 


68  ACK  JUNK;  OR, 

"  It  is  clear  enough,"  he  said  ;  "  some  infernal  villains  have  bcme 
'  down  upon  the  poor  girl,  forced  her  from  her  moorings,  and  her  poor 
uncle  has  lost  his  life  in  attempting  to  defend  her.  I  am  taken  all 
aback.  I — I — shall  go  mad  !  Let  me  alarm  the  neighborhood,  and 
see  whether  we  cannot  overhaul  this  terrible  mystery.  Oh,  Jack, 
my  poor  lad,  what  would  be  your  anguish,  did  you  but  know  what 
has  taken  place !" 

He  rushed  out  of  the  house,  and  made  his  way  with  all  the  speed 
he  could  to  the  inn,  in  order  that  he  might  make  old  Kit  acquainted 
with  the  dreadful  event ;  and  the  consternation  of  Kit  and  every 
body  else  who  heard  it  may  be  readily  imagined.  Old  Joe  was  ac 
companied  back  to  the  house  by  Breezely  and  several  others,  and 
the  utmost  horror  was  expressed  by  every  one  at  the  ghastly  sight 
which  presented  itself.  Constance  was  still  in  the  same  state  of  un 
consciousness  as  she  was  when  Joe  Trennant  first  discovered  her 
and  her  father ;  but  a  person  was  immediately  dispatched  for  the 
assistance  of  a  medical  man,  who  immediately  announced  that  Mr. 
Markham  must  have  been  dead  for  some  time  ;  and  he  then  used  his 
oest  exertions  to  restore  poor  Constance  to  sensibility,  for  they  were 
all  anxiety  until  they  heard  from  her  lips  an  explanation  of  the  aw 
ful  circumstance.  Some  time,  however,  elapsed  before  any  visible 
effects  attended  the  doctor's  efforts,  and  the  whole  of  the  parties 
present  were  in  a  state  of  the  most  painful  suspense  and  apprehen 
sion,  lest  the  shock  the  poor  girl  had  sustained  from  the  dreadful  and 
unexpected  calamity,  might  prove  too  much  for  her  strength  to  sup 
port  ;  but  at  length  a  deep  sigh  escaped  her  bosom,  and  gave  token 
of  returning  life.  In  another  moment  she  opened  her  eyes,  and 
gazed  wildly  and  vacantly  around  upon  the  individuals  present. 
Poor  old  Joe  Trennant  approached  her  with  the  kindness  of  a  pa 
rent,  and  taking  her  hand,  in  a  voice  of  the  greatest  gentleness  and 
sympathy,  he  said  : 

"  Cheer  thee,  cheer  thee,  my  poor  lass ;  you  are  surrounded  by 
your  friends,  and " 

Constance  started  at  the  sound  of  his  voice,  and  interrupting  him, 
exclaimed  : 

"  Ah !  who  are  you  that  thus  addresses  me  ?  Where  am  I  ? 
Why  am  I  thus  surrounded  ?  Who  are  you  all  ?  Oh,  horror  !  I 
remember  now !  Father !  father !  Monsters  !  they  have  torn  you 
from  me !  It  is  in  vain  to  attempt  to  deceive  me  !  I  pressed  hia 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  69 

lifeless,  mangled  corpse  in  my  arms !  I  saw  the  clotted  blood  upon 
his  brow  !  They  have  murdered  him  !  Father,  father  !  Oh,  God  ! 
Oh " 

V^iij 

She  could  say  no  more,  but  with  a  fearful  shriek  she  again  sank 
insensible  upon  the  sofa. 

"  Unfortunate  girl,"  remarked  Trennant,  "  this  awful  blow  will 
prove  too  much  for  her.  She  will  never  be  able  to  survive  so  fright 
ful  a  catastrophe.  Kate  Markham,  too ;  oh,  what  has  become  of 
her  ?  The  monsters  who  have  done  this  will  surely  be  visited  with 
the  most  terrible  retribution  of  heaven !" 

Every  one  present  looked  on  for  a  few  moments  in  a  state  of  the 
greatest  consternation,  but  at  length  the  doctor  advised  the  removal 
of  Constance  to  her  chamber,  where  she  was  left  in  the  charge  of 
himself  and  two  of  the  females,  and  all  the  authorities  of  the  district 
were  made  acquainted  with  the  dreadful  particulars,  so  that  every 
prempt  search  might  be  made  after  the  perpetrators  of  so  atrocious 
an  outrage. 

We  need  not  describe  the  painful  sensation  which  was  created  in 
the  vicinity,  as  soon  as  the  frightful  event  became  generally  known, 
and  every  exertion  was  immediately  made  which  might  lead  to  any 
discovery,  but  at  present  with  little  prospect  of  success.  The  house 
was  strictly,  examined,  and  from  the  imprint  of  several  feet  on  the 
stairs  and  on  the  ground  attached  to  the  house,  it  was  quickly  con 
cluded  that  there  had  been  an  attack  made  upon  it  by  ruffians,  who 
had  seized  our  heroine  and  borne  her  away,  and  savagely  murdered 
her  ill-fated  uncle  in  a  fruitless  attempt  to  resist  them.  What  cre 
ated  no  Ittle  astonishment,  too,  was  the  sudden  and  unexpected  dis 
appearance  of  the  Enterprise  in  the  night.  Suspicion  almost  imme 
diately  fell  upon  Mark  Stanford,  and  a  strict  search  was  made  at 
the  farm ;  but  nothing  was  there  elicited  which  was  calculated  to 
throw  the  least  light  upon  the  mysterious  and  awful  subject  which 
cast  an  universal  gloom  over  the  neighborhood. 

For  two  days  poor  Constance  remained  in  a  state  of  torpor,  and 
the  doctor  despaired  of  her  recovery  ;  and  when  at  last  a  change 
took  place,  it  was  found  that  her  senses  wandered  ;  she  raved  wildly, 
but  sufficient  could  be  gathered  from  what  she  said,  to  confirm  their 
suspicions  that  the  miscreant,  Stanford,  was  the  author  of  this  hide 
ous  outrage,  and  also  that  the  unfortunate  Kate  had  fallen  into  his 
power.  It  was  likewise  strongly  suspected  that  he  was  in  some  way 


70  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

connected  with  the  Enterprise,  which  had  made  its  disappearanca 
from  the  harbor  -f  and  all  these  various  conjectures  kept  up  the  ex 
citement  to  such  an  intolerable  degree,  that  it  became  perfectly 
painful. 

What  a  painful  change  had  a  few  short  days  wrought  in  the  neigh 
borhood  .'  Jack  Junk  was  far  away,  encountering  all  the  perils  of 
the  deep  ;  the  fair  girl  whom  he  so  ardently  loved,  was  torn  from  her 
home,  and  taken  (Heaven  only  knows  whither)  ;  the  ill-fated  Mr. 
Markham  had  met  with  a  cruel  and  untimely  death,  while  poor  Con 
stance  was  in  the  most  deplorable  state  that  it  was  possible  for  any 
person  to  be.  The  desolating  hand  of  Fate  had  indeed  dealt  a  ter 
rible  blow,  and  the  heaviest  gloom  prevailed  around.  The  most  un 
remitting  exertions  were,  however,  continued  to  be  made  to  discovei 
the  fate  of  Kate,  but  all  to  no  purpose ;  not  the  least  clue  could  be 
obtained,  although,  when  all  the  circumstances  were  taken  into  con 
sideration — that  she  was  in  the  power  of  the  villain,  Mark  Stanford, 
was  generally  believed  ;  and  it  was  feared  that  she  would  thus  be 
irrecoverably  lost. 

The  first  day,  Kate  Markham  remained  in  the  same  state  of  stu 
pefaction,  but  not  at  all  to  the  surprise  of  the  pirate  captain  ;  although 
he  could  not  but  feel  somewhat  alarmed  lest  the  terror  of  the  seizure, 
and  the  prospect  of  the  fate  that  was  in  store  for  her,  might  prove 
too  much  for  her  strength  to  support.  He  paid  her  frequent  visits 
during  the  day,  and  as  he  gazed  upon  her  pale  but  lovely  features, 
and  reflected  that  she  was  now  entirely  at  his  mercy,  his  exultation 
knew  no  bounds.  Often  did  the  villain  dare  to  pollute  he! lips  with 
his  unholy  kisses ;  and  as  he  continued  to  feast  his  eyes  upon  her 
matchless  charms,  his  disgusting  passion  every  moment  increased. 

"  Proud,  scornful  beauty  !M  he  ejaculated  ;  "  who  triumphs  now — 
the  pirate  captain,  or  his  favored  rival  ?  And  yet,  I  would  much 
Bather  that  Raker  had  not  been  so  hasty  in  the  desperate  blow  he 
dealt  her  uncle,  which,  I  am  afraid,  has  proved  fatal." 

Again  he  pressed  the  warmest  kisses  upon  the  lips  of  the  uncon 
scious  damsel,  and  then  once  more  summoning  the  attendance  of 
the  female,  he  left  poor  Kate  in  her  care,  and  quitted  the  cabin. 

The  weather  continued  any  thing  but  favorable,  and  the  pirate- 
ship  made  but  indifferent  progress,  and  contrary  winds  arising,  she 
was  driver  completely  out  of  her  course,  much  to  the  annoyance  of 


THE    TAB    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS. 


Stanford.  He  paced  the  quarter-deck  impatiently,  giving  his  orderi 
in  a  hurried  and  disturbed  manner,  casting  his  eyes  anxiously  over 
the  ocean,  and  muttering  curses  to  himself  at  intervals,  although  he 
saw  nothing  particularly  to  alarm  him.  Pierce  Raker  at  length 
joined  him,  and  they  entered  into  conversation  together. 

"  It  is  d d  unfortunate  !"  observed  Stanford  ;  "  the  Black  Ra 
ven  makes  no  way  at  all ;  and  unless  the  wind  changes,  it  will  be  a 
long  time  before  we  shall  be  likely  to  reach  our  place  of  destination." 

"  Oh,  fear  not,  captain,"  replied  Raker ;  "  it  strikes  me  forcibly 
that  we  shall  not  long  be  exposed  to  these  contrary  winds  ;  besides, 
we  have  got  good  sea-room,  and  have  nothing  to  apprehend.  But, 
how  fares  your  lovely  prize  ?" 

"Why,"  answered  Stanford,  "she  is  much  in  the  same  condition, 
and  she  does  not  seem  likely  to  recover  very  soon." 

It  was  long  after  midnight  that  our  heroine  was  completely  re 
stored  to  consciousness,  and  she  then  found  herself  alone,  and 
reclining  on  a  sofa,  which  had  been  fixed  for  her  accommodation. 

"  God  of  Heaven  !"  she  ejaculated,  "  oh,  watch  over  and  protect 
me,  I  beseech  thee — for  without  thy  merciful  interposition,  I  am 
lost !"  She  groaned  bitterly  in  her  despair,  and  then  screamed  aloud 
for  help,  but  no  answer  was  returned  to  her  cries,  and  the  hollow 
murmurmg  oi  tne  waves  seemed  to  mock  her  sufferings.  But,  at 
length,  completely  worn  out  with  the  intensity  of  her  anguish,  she 
sank  back  on  her  seat,  and  again  fell  into  a  kind  of  stupor  of  forget- 
fulness,  which,  perhaps,  under  the  horror  of  the  circumstances  in 
which  she  was  placed,  was  a  mercy  to  her. 

How  long  she  remained  in  this  situation,  she  had  no  means  of 
judging ;  but  at  length  she  was  aroused,  by  hearing  some  person  at 
the  door  of  the  cabin  in  which  she  was  confined;  and  directly  after 
wards  it  was  thrown  open,  and  the  female  before  mentioned  entered, 
bringing  with  her  some  provisions  and  a  portion  of  wine.  Kate 
startec  on  beholding  her,  and  looked  eagerly  upon  her,  but  she  could 
not  speak — and  the  woman,  after  looking  attentively  at  her  for  a 
few  moments,  said — 

"I  am  glad  to  see  that  you  have  recovered,  and  are  looking  so 
rnuch  better — and  no  doubt  our  captain  will  be  equally  gratified 
when  he  is  made  acquainted  with  it.  You  had  better  partake  of 
these  refreshments,  for  you  must  need  them  after  your  long  absti« 
nence." 


72  JACK    JUNK  J    OR, 

"Oh,  God  !"  ejaculated  our  heroine,  in  a  faint  voice;  "it  is  too 
true  then  that  I  am  a  prisoner  on  the  perilous  deep,  and  by  this  time 
far  away  from  my  home  and  those  kind  friends  who  are  so  deal 
to  me." 

"  You  have  guessed  perfectly  right,"  replied  the  female ;  "  and 
so  you  may  as  well  make  your  mind  contented,  as  you  cannot  help 
yourself." 

"  What  is  the  name  of  the.  vessel  in  which  I  am  ?"  demanded 
Kate,  in  a  tremulous  voice;  "and  who  is  the  villain  who  has  thus 
dared  to  commit  so  brutal  an  outrage  against  an  innocent  and  un 
protected  girl  ?  Speak,  I  conjure  you,  for. certainty  is  far  less  terri 
ble  than  this  awful  state  of  suspense !" 

"  This  vessel  is  the  pretended  fair-trader,  the  '  Enterprise,'  an 
swered  the  woman  ;  "  but  as  you  are  anxious  to  know  its  real  name, 
I  do  not  scruple  to  inform  you,  that  it  is  the  much-dreaded  '  Black 
Raven,'  which  has  long  ruled  the  empire  of  the  seas :  Mts  captain, 
whom  you  have  hitherto  known  and  despised  as  Farmer  Stanford, 
is  no  other  than  Hugh  Granfield,  the  Pirate  Chief,  whose  name  has 
ever  struck  awe  and  terror  into  the  minds  of  all  who  have  heard  it." 

"Oh,  horror!"  groaned  our  heroine,  covering  her  face  with  her 
hands,  and  trembling  all  over ;  "  what  have  I  done  ?  why  has 
Heaven  reserved  me  for  such  a  hideous  fate  as  this  ?  But  it  cannot 
be  ;  the  thought  is  t»o  monstrous  to  entertain.  Great  God  !  upon 
thy  mercy  I  throw  myself,  and  will  not,  cannot  believe,  that  thou 
wilt  permit  my  brutal  enemy  to  triumph !" 

Slie  looked  up  when  she  had  given  utterance  to  these  words,  and, 
to  her  astonishment,  beheld  that  the  female  was  gone,  and  that  she 
was  left  to  all  the  anguish  of  her  own  thoughts.  What  language 
could  do  adequate  justice  to  them  ?  She  clasped  her  hands  vehem 
ently  together,  and  the  most  violent  sobs  escaped  her  bosom  ;  then 
she  threw  herself  upon  the  sofa,  and  for  some  time  became  com 
pletely  absorbed  in  the  intensity  of  her  grief  and  despair. 

"  It  is  all  over !"  she  sighed,  at  length  ;  "  the  cup  of  my  misery 
is  filled  to  the  brim,  and  a  fate  far  more  terribje  than  the  most  tor 
turing  of  deaths  is  in  store  for  me !  In  the  power  of  the  fearful 
Pirate  Chief!  Gracious  Heaven!  can  it  be  true,  or  do  my  disor 
dered  senses  only  deceive  me  ?  Alas,  alas  !  and  are  there  no  means 
of  escaping  from  the  fate  with  which  I  am  threatened  ?  Alas,  no! 
h«re  on  the  boundless  deep,  and  in  the  power  of  such  desperate 


TKE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  71 

wretches,  there  is  not  the  least  hope  for  me.     Beloved  friends,  fare 
well  forever !   we  shall  never,  never  meet  again  !'* 

The  violence  of  her  grief  and  anguish  choked  her  further  utter 
ance — and  again  covering  her  face  with  her  hands,  she  gave  herself 
up  to  despair.  In  this  manner  two  or  three  hours  of  the  most  inde 
scribable  misery  passed  away,  when  poor  Kate  was  once  more 
startled  from  her  lethargy  by  hearing  the  door  of  the  cabin  unfasten 
ed,  and  the  next  moment  the  much-dreaded  pirate  captain  stood 
before  her  appalled  gaze,  in  his  true  character,  and  with  a  smile  of 
triumph  upon  his  repulsive  features.  The  unfortunate  damsel  could 
not  help  uttering  a  cry  of  Horror  on  beholding  him,  and  shrank, 
trembling,  to  the  remotest  corner  of  the  cabin.  Stanford,  however, 
nothing  daunted  or  abashed  by  the  reception  she  'gave  him,  and 
which  he  had  fully  anticipated,  advanced  boldly  towards  her,  and 
even  attempted  to  take  her  hand  ;  but  had  a  serpent  stung  her,  she 
could  not  have  recoiled  with  greater  terror  or  disgust ;  and,  unablo 
to  meet  the  gaze  of  the  villain,  she  averted  her  eyes,  and  awaited 
the  result  of  this  visit,  in  a  state  of  the  most  agonizing  suspense. 

"  So,  beauteous  Kate,"  began  the  pirate,  "  at  length  we  meet  un 
der  those  circumstances  I  have  so  long  been  anxious  for.  My  hopes 
are  realized — my  wishes  will  soon  be  gratified  to  their  fullest  extent. 
Here  there  is  no  one  to  interrupt  me  in  the  prosecution  of  that  suit 
which  you  scornfully  rejected.  Farmer  Stanford,  alias  Hugh  Gran- 
field,  the  firate  Chief,  bids  you  welcome  to  his  gallant  barque ;  he 
salutes  his  future  mistress  with  a  proud  and  exulting  heart.  The 
blue  waves  are  below  us — the  clear  sky  above  us — favoring  winds 
waft  us  to  a  far-distant  land,  where  no  eye  can  discover  you  or 
rescue  you  from  my  power.  I'm  afloat !  I'm  afloat !  and  the  Rover 
is  free !" 

"  Look  down  upon  me,  oh,  Heaven !"  cried  our  heroine,  clasping 
her  hands,  "  and  guard  me  from  this  monster  in  human  form  !" 

"  Kate  Markham,"  replied  Stanford,  in  a  determined  voice,  "this 
is  no  time  for  useless  prayers  or  invocations ;  the  pirate  captain  is 
not  the  man  on  whom  they  are  likely  to  have  the  least  effect ;  fate 
has  made  you  mine ;  henceforth  you  must  learn  to  love  me  as  your 
future  lord  and  master !  Mark  me,  girl,  you  have  no  weak  or  irre 
solute  boy  to  tamper  with,  but  one  who  was  never  yet  known  to  be 
defeated  in  his  designs.  But  think  not  that  the  heart  of  the  daring 
rover  of  the  seas  is  insensible  to  the  influence  of  beauty.  No,  he  is 


?4  JACK    JUNK  J    OR, 

prepared  to  lavish  upon  you  such  a  passion  as  neve*  yet  ruled  the 
breast  of  man.  You  shall  be  the  most  affectionate  object  of  his 
soul — his  goddess — his  queen  !  Away,  then,  with  these  feelings  of 
pride  and  scorn,  and  yield  submissively  to  that  will  it  would  be  use 
less  for  you  to  oppose.  The  pirate  claims  his  mistress — and  who 
shall  dare  dispute  his  right  ?" 

"  Hold  !  hold,  heartless  man,  if  such  I  may  indeed  call  you,  unless 
you  would  see  me  a  corpse  at  your  feet !"  cried  our  heroine,  still 
more  terrified  by  the  boldness  and  determination  of  his  manner: 
"  when  I  think  of  all  the  awful  and  sanguinary  crimes  you  have  per. 
petrated,  I  cannot  even  gaze  upon  you  without  a  shudder.  Alas ! 
I  know  too  well  that  I  am  in  your  power,  and  how  little  I  have  to 
expect  from  ydtr  mercy ;  but  I  will  not  yield  myself  up  entirely  to 
despair.  I  feel  myself  strong  in  conscious  innocence  and  virtue; 
and,  putting  my  trust  in  the  g6odness  of  the  Supreme — whose  laws 
you  have  so  monstrously  outraged — I  will  still  set  your  boasted 
power  at  defiance  !" 

"  What  a  pity  it  is,"  replied  Stanford,  with  a  bitter  sneer,  "  that 
such  fondly-expressed  hopes  should  be  doomed  to  be  disappointed ; 
what  folly  it  is  that  one  so  lovely  should  thus  waste  her  time  in 
offering  this  useless  opposition.  Damsel,  here  my  will  is  supreme — 
and  who  was  ever  yet  known  to  be  bold  enough  to  resist  it  ?  Re 
member,  that  in  Hugh  Granfield,  the  pirate  chief,  you  have  no  boy 
like  Jack  Junk  to  tamper  with,  but  a  man  of  determination,  who 
never  yet  gave  utterance  to  a  word  but  what  he  meant  to  carry  out 
to  the  very  letter." 

"  Oh,  horrible  !"  groaned  the  terrified  maiden ;  "  must  I  be  sacri 
ficed  to  such  a  monster  as  this  ?" 

"  1  can  bear  with  your  epithets,  sweet  Kate  Markham,"  returned 
Stanford,  with  an  ironical  smile;  "they  do  but  serve  to  amuse  me; 
they  are  no  more  than  I  fully  expected ;  in  fact,  I  enjoy  them ;  me- 
thinks  you  look  even  prettier  in  your  anger,  than  your  smiles,  fasci 
nating  even  though  they  are :  but,  my  lovely  Kate,  why  thus  take 
such  pains  to  make  yourself  wretched,  since  you  cannot  possibly 
combat  with  the  fate  which  is  marked  out  for  you  ?  A  proud  po 
sition  is  offered  to  you :  I  am  sovereign  of  the  seas  ;  all  have  hitherto 
been  compelled  to  acknowledge  and  succumb  to  my  power.  I  have 
chosen  you  my  queen !  The  '  Black  Raven '  is  our  palace  ;  and  the 
measureless  water  of  the  deep,  our  .dominions ;  and  thus  with  thif 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  75 

fond  embrace,  this  kiss  of  transport  and  of  love,  do  I  seal  the  com- 
pact !" 

As  the  daring  villain  gave  utterance  to  these  fearful  words,  he 
darted  towards  our  heroine,  and  endeavored  to  fold  her  in  his  arms ; 
but  she  retreated  to  the  further  end  of  the  cabin,  and,  by  the  dignity 
of  her  demeanor,  for  a  few  moments  held  him  at  defiance. 

"  Hold  !  miscreant !"  she  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  of  firmness. — 
"  Spirit  of  my  father,  now  in  Heaven !  thy  poor  child  humbly  be 
seeches  thee  to  look  down  upon  her  in  this  hour  of  danger,  and  to 
supplicate  the  merciful  interposition  of  the  Supreme  to  save  her 
from  the  brutal  designs  of  the  monster  who  holds  her  in  his  power !" 

A  sudden  change  came  over  the  pirate  as  she  gave  utterance  to 
these  words :  he  stared  back  aghast,  as  if  he  had  encountered  some 
fearful  object :  his  limbs  trembled  in  e%ery  joint ;  his  face  was  blood 
less  ;  his  lips  quivered ;  his  eyes  seemed  ready  to  start  from  their 
sockets,  and  stared  upon  vacancy ;  and  his  whole  demeanor  was 
that  of  a  man  who  had  just  been  convicted  at  the  bar  of  a  most 
hideous  and  horrible  crime.  Even  Kate  herself  gazed  at  him,  amazed 
and  almost  incredulous. 

"  Fiends  of  h — 1 !"  he  at  length  exclaimed,  in  a  hoarse  voice, 
"  what  could  have  suggested  these  words  to  you,  girl  ?  Who  could 
have  told  you  that  ? — but  I  rave  !  What  madness  is  this  that  seizes 
upon  my  brain  !  D — n  !  shall  the  dead  rise  again  to  confront  me  ? 
He  is  there  !  I  see  him  now  as  plainly  as  when — oh,  horror !" 

Was  it  merely  the  effect  of  the  murderer's  guilty  conscience,  01 
was  it  reality  ?  but  at  that  moment  he  imagined  he  beheld  the  awful 
form  of  the  murdered  Horace  Markham,  the  father  of  his  destined 
victim,  standing  between  him  and  her,  his  glassy  eyes. and  ghastly 
features  fixed  full  upon  him,  and  his  long,  bony  fingers  pointed  to- 
wards  him.  The  assassin  for  a  few  moments  stood  appalled ;  his 
lips  moved,  but  they  could  give-  utterance  to  no  sound ;  and  at 
length,  without  venturing  to  cast  another  glance  towards  our  he- 
•oine,  or  to  speak  a  word,  he  rushed  hurriedly  from  the  cabin,  and 
closed  the  door,  leaving  Kate  in  a  state  of  the  utmost  amazement 
and  alarm.  In  this  manner  he  made  his  way  upon  deck,  when  his 
lieutenant,  Pierce,  joined  him. 

"  'Tis  a  sullen  night,  captain,"  said  Pierce ;  "  our  ship  wears 
heavily,  and,  from  the  appearance  of  yon  star,  which  alone  peeps 
out  from  the  ocean  of  clouds  upon  the  black  horizon,  we  shall  have 


76  JACK    JUNK  J    OR, 

a  tempest  ere  long.  But,  how  is  this  !  Why  do  you  look  so  gioomy 
and  so  reflective  ?" 

"  Pierce,"  answered  Stanford,  "  I  feel  sad  at  heart." 

"  Sad  at  heart !"  repeated  Pierce.  "  What,  from  the  reception 
you  met  with,  I  suppose,  from  the  damsel  herself.  Ha !  ha !  ha ! 
One  of  the  tricks  of  the  fair  craft !  Depend  on  it,  she  loves  you, 
sir,  only  she  has  her  own  peculiar  way  of  showing  it ;  at  any  rate 
you  have  her  under  your  command,  and  if  you  do  not  make  her 
obey  orders,  it  is  your  own  fault,  that's  all  I  can  say  about  it." 

"  Ay,  she  is  beautiful,"  said  Stanford,  in  a  half  abstracted  man 
ner  ;  "  but  yet  how  has  she  been  won  ?  Look  !  look,  Pierce !  do  you 
not  see  that  star,  how  it  bursts  through  the  dense  mist  of  clouds,  and 
shows  a  lumen  on  the  ocean  ? — do  you  not  see  it,  man,  like  a  will-o'- 
the-wisp  ? —  it  dances  above*and  around  our  vessel  ;  and  now  it 
sinks  over  the  surface  like  a  comet  descended  from  the  heavens, 
bearing  blood  in  its  track  !  I'm  faint ;  Pierce — I'm  sick  !" 

"  Pardon  me,  captain,"  said  Pierce  ;  "but,  if  I  may  form  a  just 
opinion  from  your  language,  you  seem  to  be  going  mad.  What  has 
caused  this  strange  and  cowardly,  nervous  feeling  to  come  over 
you  ?" 

"  I  saw  him,  Pierce ;  there  is  nothing  will  convince  me  to  the 
contrary." 

"  Saw  him— who  ?" 

"  The  last  murdered  !" 

"  Pshaw !" 

"  Don't  treat  it  indifferently ;  I  saw  him,  I  tell  you,  again,  and 
his  brother  too.  Horace  Markham's  shade  interposed  between  ma 
and  his  daughter,  while  that  of  his  brother  stood  by  his  side,  and — " 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !"  laughed  the  pirate,  ironically  ;  "  a  good  joke  !" 

"  Pierce  !"  said  Stanford,  partially  recovering  himself,  and  fixing 
upon  his  lieutenant  a  stern  look,  "  this  is  no  trifling ;  if  you  value 
my  favor  or  my  friendship,  you  will  not  treat  with  idle  levity  that 
which  I  again  solemnly  protest  to  be  true.  I  saw  them  both  as 
plainly  as  when  they  appeared  in  life  ;  and  then,  when  I  rushed 
away  from  the  spot,  turning  my  head  from  the  bows,  as  if  by  some 
inscrutable,  uncontrollable  power,  I  beheld  the  ghastly  and  blood 
stained  countenance  of  Reuben  of  the  Cliff." 

"Ha!  ha!  ha!' 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  Tt 

14  Again  you  laugh  !"  said  Mark  Stanford  ;"  but  you,  even  you, 
will  be  convinced  it  is  no  idle  delusion,  ere  long." 

Pierce  did  not  offer  to  interrupt  him,  but  retained  his  position 
and  watched  him  steadfastly.  Suddenly  he  was  startled  by  an  ex 
clamation  of •' horror  from  Stanford,  and,  at  the  same  moment,  a 
supernatural  light  seemed  to  surround  the  vessel,  and  cast  its  reflec 
tion  far  over  the  wild  waters  of  the  deep.  The  expression  of  Mark 
Stanford's  countenance,  under  the  .sickly  reflection  of  the  strange 
and  unaccountable  light,  was  ghastly  in  the  extreme. 

"  Why,  how  now,  captain  ?"  demanded  Pierce,  approaching  him ; 
"  why  do  you  fix  your  gaze  so  intently  upon  one  particular  spot  ?" 

"  By  h — 1 !"  answered  Stanford,  in  a  hollow  voice,  while  he  pointed 
with  his  hand  over  the  ocean ;  "there  can  be  no  delusion  in  this!" 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?" 

"  Do  you  not  see  ?" 

"  See  what  ? — I  see  nothing  but  an  aurora  borealis,  and  a  good 
friend  it  may  be  to  us,  for  that  single  star  formed  but  a  faint  lamp 
to  light  us  on  our  course." 

"No — no — no  !"  ejaculated  the  pirate  captain,  trembling  more 
violently  than  before,  and  still  keeping  his  eyes  fixed  upon  the  same 
spot ;  "  not  that,  not  that ! — Pierce,  are  you  not  blind !  or  do  you  pre 
tend  to  be  so  in  order  to  torture  me  ?" 

"  Torture  you  ?" 

"  Yes,  yes  ! — 'tis  there  ! — by  all  the  infernal  host,  'tis  there  !" 

"  What  madness  is  this  ?" 

"  No — no — 'tis  not  madness  !  You  must  be  blind  if  you  do  not 
see  it ;  and — and — it  is  coming  this  way !" 

"  What  is  coming  this  way  ?"  again  demanded  Pierce  ;  "  you  speak 
in  riddles." 

"  There  (  there  !"  replied  Stanford  ;  "  is  it  not  as  clear  as  the  sun 
at  noon-day  ?  The  ghastly  countenance  of  the  murdered  man, 
Reuben  of  the  Cliff — the  same  as  it  appeared  shortly  after  you  had 
consigned  his  body  to  the  deep !  By  h — 1 !  he  has  kept  his  word !" 

Startled  by  the  wcids  of  Stanford,  and  the  earnestness  of  his 
manner,  Pierce  gazed  more  steadfastly  towards  that  part  of  the 
ocean  to  which  he  indicated  ;  and  as  he  did  so,  an  exclamation  of 
mingled  surprise  and  horror  escaped  him,  and  he  became  scarcely 
less  agitated  than  the  captain.  Could  it  oe  fancy,  or  only  the  work 
ings  of  a  guilty  conscience  ?  No  •  it  was  there — the  corpse  of  dd 


78     •  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

Reuben  of  the  Cliff-  —  drifting  upright  towards  the  vessel,  as  palpable 
as  the  most  incontrovertible  fact  could  appear  to  be  —  the  ghastly 
countenance  and  glaring  glassy  eyes  distinctly  shown  in  the  broad 
and  sickly  glare  of  the  supernatural  light. 

"  Demons  of  h  —  1  !"  cried  Pierce,  "  what  bitter  mockery  is  this  ? 
If  the  graves  yield  up  their  ghastly  tenants,  shall  not  the  waters  of 
the  deep  cover  their  mutilated  remains  ?  Our  senses  must  be  leaving 


" 


us 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  you  do  see  him,  then  !"  said  Mark  Stanford,  in  hoarse 
and  frightful  tones.  "  It  is  no  wild  illusion  of  the  disordered  brain, 
then?  —  Horror  !  horror  !  he  approaches  this  way!  He  has  kept 
his  word  —  he  has  kept  his  word  !  The  murdered  victim  pursues  his 
cowardly  assassins,  and  will  do  so  to  the  day  of  judgment  !" 

The  villains  clung  to  each  other  with  all  the  terror  and  cowardice 
that  their  guilty  imaginations  had  conjured  up,  and  continued  with 
their  eyes  fixed  upon  the  awful  phantom.  On  —  on  it  came—  the 
head  erect,  the  countenance  plainly  visible,  and  the  sepulchral 
glance  never  removed  from  their  blenched  and  quivering  faces. 
The  murmuring  of  the  waves  seemed  to  be  hushed,  the  strange  light 
grew  stronger.  Mark  Stanford  and  his  guilty  companion  could  not 
speak  —  they  could  not  stir  ;  a  hollow  wailing  sound  struck  their  ears 
•  —  the  spectre  drifted  past  the  vessel  —  the  supernatural  light  faded 
away,  and  all  was  darkness  and  obscurity. 

"  The  fiends  have  conspired  against  us,"  at  length  stammered  out 
Stanford.  "  Pierce,  can  you  now  be  bold  enough  to  assert  that  I 
am  mad  ?  that  I  was  deceived  ?  You  saw  him  —  I  know  you  did  ! 
Your  pale  face  and  trembling  limbs  convince  me  of  it." 

"'Tis  strange!  'tis  unaccountable!  almost  past  belief!"  muttered 
Pierce. 

"  Past  belief!"  repeated  Stanford,  "  that  is  impossible.  The  dying 
words  of  Reuben  of  the  Cliff  are  fulfilled.  Why  did  you  not  stay 
your  accursed  hand  when  I  commanded  you  ?" 

"  What  !"  replied  Pierce,  sternly,  "  and  by  so  doing  consign  us  all 
to  the  gallows.  Bah  !  this  is  weakness.  We  have  allowed  our  dis 
tempered  imaginations  to  deceive  us,  and  must  not  give  way  to  such 
fancies." 

"Fancies,  fool!  You  saw  him  as  plainly  as  I  did,  and  why  seek 
to  deny  it  ?" 

"  Come,  let  us  below,"  urged  Pierce,  "  and  endeavor  to  conquer 


„     THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  79 

this  womanish  feeling.  Some  sickly  delusion  has  wrought  upon  our 
imaginations." 

"  'Tis  false  !  'tis  you  who  would  seek  to  deceive  me  and  yourself," 
returned  Stanford  ;  "  your  fears  are  equal  to  my  own." 

"  What  folly  this  is  !" 

•  "  Well  let  us  drop  the  subject,  and  banish  from  our  minds  what  has 
taken  place.  Now  that  Kate  Markham  is  entirely  in  my  power,  I 
nm  resolved  not  to  delay  the  execution  of  my  desings.  Good 
night." 

"  Good-night,"  repeated  Pierce,  and  they  separated. 

Kate  Markham,  after  the  interview  which  had  taken  place  be 
tween  herself  and  Stanford,  gave  up  almost  entirely  to  despair. 
The  woman  who  was  deputed  to  attend  on  her,  made  her  appear 
ance  with  provisions,  but  Kate  was  too  sick  at  heart  to  talk  with 
her,  and  she  quickly  retired. 

Not  long,  however,  was  she  permitted  to  remain  alone,  for  the 
cabin-door  was  suddenly  thrown  open,  arM  the  pirate  chief  stood 
before  her. 

"Fair  Kate,"  said  he,  "your  slave  and  admirer  again  comes  to 
pay  the  homage  of  his  love  and  devotion  at  the  shrine  of  your  beau 
ty.  I  have  chosen  you  for  the  empress  of  my  heart,  and  as  you  are 
completely  in  my  power,  you  must  learn  to  look  upon  me  as  your 
future  lord." 

"Brutal  man!"  exclaimed  Kate,  shrinking  from  his  touch,  "I 
know  too  well  that  I  am  entirely  in  your  power  and  at  your  mercy ; 
but  there  is  One  above  who  will  throw  the  shield  of  his  Almighty 
protection  around  me,  and  who  will  not  suffer  you  to  triumph  in 
your  diabolical  designs." 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha !"  laughed  the  pirate,  "  we  shall  see  how  far  your 
sanguine  hopes  will  be  realized.  Did  I  not  tell  you  and  the  proud 
boy  to  whom  you  have  devoted  your  affections,  that  Farmer  Stan 
ford's  hour  of  triumph  would  quickly  arrive,  and  have  I  not  kept 
my  promise  ?" 

"  Horrible  !"  ejaculated  Kate  ;  "  will  nothing  interpose  and  save 
me  from  this  awful  fate  ?" 

"Nothing,  beauteous  damsel,"  exultingly  replied  Stanford;  "of 
that  you  may  rest  assured.  Away,  then,  with  your  doubts  and  fean, 
and  yield  yourself  entirely  to  love  and  happiness." 


80  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

"  Away .'  cnea  our  nerome  ;  f<  do  not  blaspheme  the  sacred  name 
of  love." 

"  By  all  my  nopes/  exclaimed  the  pirate,  "  I  will  yet  conquer 
your  proud  and  scornful  spirit.  The  pirate  chief,  whose  name  has 
spread  terror  over  the  whole  expanse  of  ocean,  claims  you  for  hia 
future  mistress,  and  by  this  fond  embrace,  this  rapturous  kiss,  He 
seals  the  compact." 

As  the  miscreant  thus  spoke,  he  encircled  the  lovely  form  of  Kate 
Markham  in  his  rude  embrace,  and,  in-  spite  of  her  screams,  im 
printed  on  her  guileless  lips  a  kiss. 

"  Monster  !"  cried  Kate,  releasing  herself  from  him ;  "begone,  and 
no  longter  trouble  me  !" 

Stanford  left  the  cabin,  saying,  "For  the  present,  farewell.  To 
morrow  we  meet  again." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Jack  Junk  again. — The  Shipwreck. — The  Island. — Ttie  Maniac. 

THE  fleet,  with  which  we  left  our  hero,  experienced  very  disas 
trous  weather.  The  tempest  raged  with  violence,  and  as  soon  a* 
the  storm  abated,  a  dense  fog  arose,  and  the  vessels  were  separated, 
and  lost  hail  of  each  other. 

The  Defiance  battled  bravely,  but  she  was  driven  completely  out 
of  her  latitude,  and,  to  add  to  the  horror  of  those  on  board,  sprung 
a  leak.  To  penetrate  the  mist  was  impossible,  and  they  were  driven 
entirely  at  the  mercy  of  the  waves,  threatened  every  moment  with 
destruction.  During  the  whole  night,  Jack  Junk  maintained  the 
utmost  coolness  and  determination;  and  wherever  the  greatest  peril 
was  to  be  encountered — wherever  courage  and  skill  were  necessary 
to  overcome  a  difficulty,  there  was  Jack  sure  to  be  found.  But, 
notwithstanding  all  their  efforts,  the  leak  increased  ;  and  about  mid 
night  the  Defiance  struck  on  a  rock,  and  it  was  evident  she  was 
sinking.  A  large  portion  of  tne  crew  leaped  into  the  boats,  which 
were  quicKiy  iauncnea,  ana  in  a  snort  time  tne  Defiance  went  down, 
carrying  with  her  an  v».',o  naa  remained  on  ooard. 

It  seemed  almost  impossible  for  a  boat  to  live  in  such  a  storm,  as 


THE    TAR    FOE    ALL    WEATHERS.  8 

each  wave  that  swelled  over  them  filled  the  boat  with  water,  and 
in  less  than  an  hour  after  the  vessel  went  down,  our  hero  found 
himself  struggling  desperately  for  life,  his  unfortunate  companions 
gone.  He  breasted  the  waves  manfully  and  gained  a  rock,  to  which 
he  clung,  and,  clambering  up  beyond  the  reach  of  the  waves,  he 
sank  overpowered  and  senseless. 

How  long  he  remained  thus,  he  had  no  means  of  ascertaining, 
but  the  storm  had  entirely  subsided  ;  and,  climbing  to  the  top  of  the 
rock,  he  found  himself  upon  an  island,  and,  casting  his  eyes  around, 
he  was  almost  certain  he  saw  the  form  of  a  man  in  the  distance, 
but  it  vanished  behind  a  cluster  of  trees.  Hurrying  on  towards  the 
spot,  he  found  a  rude  hut. 

"  Thank  God  !"  exclaimed  the  young  seaman,  "  1  am  not  entirely 
alone." 

He  walked  towards  the  hut,  within  which  all  was  perfectly  still ; 
and,  imagining  its  owner  was  absent,  opened  the  door  and  entered. 
On  the.  table  was  some  dried  fish,  a  jug  of  water,  and  a  quantity  of 
fruit.  Jack  seated  himself  and  partook  greedily.  Half  an  hour 
passed,  when  Jack  was  startled  at  hearing  some  one  at  the  door, 
and  concealing  himself,  a  being  entered,  whose  wild  and  singular 
appearance  filled  the  mind  of  our  hero  with  astonishment. 

He  looked  anxiously  around  his  apartment  a  few  minutes,  and 
approaching  the  table  and  beholding  the  decrease  in  the  provisions 
he  had  left,  he  gave-  utterance  to  an  exclamation  of  astonishment. 
After  this,  he  knelt  down  before  a  crucifix,  giving  Jack  an  oppor 
tunity  of  observing  his  features,  which  were  handsome  and  expres 
sive,  yet  there  was  a  wildness,  a  restlessness  in  the  eyes,  which 
plainly  indicated  the  wandering  of  the  mind.  The  features  of  the 
man  stiuck  our  hero  as  those  of  some  individual  he  had  seen  before. 
but  where  he  could  not  tell.  At  last  he  recollected  the  locket  which 
old  Joe  Trennant  had  presented  him,  and  which  was  still  suspended 
to  his  neck,  and,  looking  at  it,  was  astonished  at  the  resemblance 
between  it  and  the  recluse. 

The  strange  being  continued  on  his  knees  for  some  time,  then 
rising,  folded  his  arms  across  his  chest,  and  spoke, — 

"My  Emilia!  shall  I  ever  again  behold  you,  or  your  innocent 
babe  ?  Alas,  no  !  you  have  perished  ;  while  I,  the  primary  cause  ot 
all  this  misery,  upon  whose  brow  is  stamped  more  than  the  guilt  of 
Cain,  continue  to  l:ve.  No,  no ;  I  have  the  means  at  hand — it  is 


83  JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

but  a  plunge,  and  all  is  buried  in  oblivion.  Farewell — farewell  to 
all ;  spirit  of  my  injured  wife !  plead  for  me  at  the  throne  of  mercy 
for  forgiveness !" 

Thus  wildly  speaking  the  unfortunate  man  rushed  from  the  hovel 

..*'  Poor  fellow  !'  said  Jack,  "  his  senses  have  slipped  the  cable  to  a 
certainty,  and  his  mind  is  driven  quite  aback !  What  does  he  in 
tend  to  do  ?  To  make  a  hole  in  the  ocean  to  a  certainty  ;  but  that 
must  be  prevented  !  We  must  never  see  a  vessel  founder.  Helm's- 
a-lee,  messmate — brother  tar — ahoy  !" 

Thus  saying,  Jack  Junk,  hitching  up  his  trowsers,  darted  with  the 
speed  of  lightning  from  the  hut,  pursuing  the  way  which  he  imagined 
the  unfortunate  man  to  have  taken,  and  shouting  all  the  way  at  the 
top  of  his  voice.  Our  hero  was  almost  out-winded,  and  he  began  to 
fear  that  the  object  of  his  interest  would  outstrip  him  before  he  had 
time  to  prevent  him.  However,  something  obstructed  the  wretched 
man's  path,  and  he  stumbled,  and  while  he  was  recovering  his  feet, 
Jack  gained  upon  him.  But  in  spite  of  this  acciden-t,  the^  man 
seemed  to  retain  his  strength  in  the  most  extraordinary  manner,  and 
resumed  his  flight  with  even  increased  rapidity,  still  waving  his  staff 
in  the  air,  and  giving  utterance  to  the  most  wild  and  strange  ex 
clamations.  He  reached  the  rocks  that  bounded  that  part  of  the 
island,  and  ascending  to  the  summit  of  one  of  the  loftiest  of  them, 
he  paused,  and  our  hero  had  now  an  opportunity  of  coming  up  to 
him,  an  advantage  which  he  did  not  fail  to  avail  himself  of.  He  also 
reached  the  rock,  and  ascending  it,  he  fixed  himself  immediately  be 
hind  the  unfortunate  man,  by  whom  he  was  unobserved,  but  whom 
he  watched  with  the  most  vigilant  eye,  and  was  ready  in  an  instant 
to  frustrate  the  fatal  design  which  he  seemed  to  have  in  contempla 
tion. 

"  Majestic  ocean !"  he  at  length  ejaculated,  in  the  same  wander 
ing  strain  ;  "  thou  art  in  all  your  grandeur,  and  with  the  same  power 
of  destruction,  which  has  crushed  so  many  hopes  and  immolated  so 
many  innocent  victims.  But  thou  art  calm  now,  when  the  poor 
wretch,  whose  life  has  been  a  curse  to  his  fellow-creatures,  comes 
to  seek  a  grave  beneath  your  billows." 

As  he  spoke,  he  was  about  to  precipitate  himself  from  the  summit 
of  the  rock  into  the  deep,  but  our  hero,  starting  forward,  seized  him 
by  tne  arm,  and  arrested  his  deadly  purpose,  at  the  same  time  ex 
claiming —  i 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHER3.  83 

"  Hold!  wretched  man!  would  you  rush  unbidden  into  the  pres 
ence  of  that  Almighty  Judge,  whose  laws,  to  judge  from  what  y\m 
have  said,  you  have  already  so  greatly  broken?  Forbear,  forbear ! 
and  by  a  life  of  penitence  earn  that  mercy  which  you  would  now  in 
a  moment  of  rashness  and  madness,  forfeit  for  ever."  . 

The  unfortunate  man  started  round  at  this  unexpected  interrup 
tion  to  the  accomplishment  of  his  desperate  purpose,  and  fixed  his 
wild  eyes  with  an  expression  of  astonishment  and  incredulity  upon 
the  face  of  our  hero,  that  was  perfectly  indescribable. 

"  Ah !"  he  cried,  "  who  art  thou  ?  How  came  you  here  ?  What 
devil  sent  you  hither  to  obstruct  a  miserable  wretch  in,  the  execu 
tion,  of  his  purpose?  Art  thou  a  man?  mortal?  'Release  your 
hold  of  me,  or  we  both  perish  together  !" 

As  he  spoke,  he  grappled  with  the  young  seaman,  and  endeavored 
to  force  him  to  the  extreme  verge  of  the  rock  on  which  they  were 
standing,  but  although  his  strength  was  great,  even  wonderful  for 
his  age,  it  coufd  not  compete  with  that  of  our  hero,  and  he  held  him 
as  firmly  and  securely  as  if  he  had  been  in  the  hands  of  a  giant. 

"  Compose  yourself,"  he  said,  "  and  allow  me  to  lead  you  from  this 
spot  to  your  own  dwelling,  which  I  accidentally  have  discovered, 
and  followed  you  hither." 

"  Who  are  you,"  interrupted  the  maniac,  "  that  dare  thus  to  dictate 
to  me  ?"  ^ 

"  One  who  would  do  you  no  harm,"  replied  our  hero,  "  but  who 
is  the  victim  of  misfortune,  like  yourself.  The  vessel  in  which  I 
sailed  was  wrecked  just  off  this  island,  in  the  fearful  storm  of  last 
night,  and  I  am  the  only  one  amongst  all  the  crew  whose  life  was 
preserved.  Chance  led  me  to  your  habitation,  and  I  was  induced 
to  watch  you  footsteps  hither." 

The  unfortunate  man  appeared  to  have  but  a  faint  comprehension 
of  what  the  young  seaman  said  :  however,  his  manner  evidently 
made  a  favorable  impression  on 'him,  and  he  suffered  him  to  lead 
him  from  the  spot  without  saying  a  word.  After  they  had  proceed 
ed  a  snort  distance,  however,  he  suddenly  paused,  and  looking  earn 
estly  in  the  face  of  our  hero,  he  sighed  heavily*  and  said — 

"  I  have  seen  those  features  before  :  no — no,  it  must  be  a  dream. 
Oh,  my  fxx>r  wandering  brain!  You  are  a  sailor,  and  have  been 
upon  the  remorseless  and  devouring  ocean  when  the  tempest  raged 
in  al.  its  wrath  ;  but  did  ever  witness  a  young  mother  and  her  mfaml 


84  JACK  JUNK  ;  OR, 

offspring  perish  ?  No,  no,  that  horrible  sight  has  only  been  reserved 
for  few  eyes,  thank  God  !  I  have  not  witnessed  it  in  reality,  but  for 
many,  many  years,  it  has  been  vivid  to  my  imagination.  But  why 
should  I  harrow  up  your  feelings  by  the  dreadful  tale  ?  You  are 
young,  you  look  honest,  generous  ;  you  will  not  harm  poor  Herbert  ? 
Come,  conrfe,  I  will  take  you  to  my  palace;  yes,  I  am  king  here,  and 
who  is  there  to  dispute  my  power  or  authority  ?'' 

Humoring  him,  and  glad  that  he  had  succeeded  so  much  better 
than  he  had  at  first  expected,  he  took  his  arm  and  led  him  from  the 
spot,  and  took  the  way  which  conducted  them  towards  his  cottage. 

"We  will  not  separate  again,",  replied  our  hero,  "until  Providence 
has  happily  enabled  me  to  see  you  to  a  place  of  safety." 

"  No,  no,"  said  Herbert  quickly,  "  I  will  not  quit  this  island  again  ; 
it  is  my  future  home,  my  kingdom,  as  it  has  been  for  many  years." 

"  Well,  well,  my  friend,"  replied  Jack,  who  felt  more  interested 
every  moment  in  the  misfortunes  of  his  hapless  companion,  "  I  will 
continue  with  you,  and  endeavor  to  soothe  you  in  your  troubles." 

"You  are  very  good — you  are  very  brave,"  he  said  at  length. 
*  You  will 'not  leave  me,  will  you  ?" 

"  No,  no,"  replied  our  hero.  "  Alas  !  where,  can  the  poor  ship 
wrecked  seaman  go  ?  Oh,  Kate  !  Kate  !  beloved  of  my  heart,  what 
would  be  the  excruciating  anguish  you  would  endure,  did  you  but 
know  my  melancholy  and  hopeless  situation !" 

"  Ah  !"  s^id  the  maniac,  as  a  sudden  thought  seemed  to  flash  upon 
his  benighjed  brain ;  "  you  love  !  Is  she  to  whom  your  heart  is  de- 
.  voted,  young,  and  innocent,  and  lovely  ?" 

"  Ah  !  she  is  most  good  and  lovely,"  replied  our  hero,  with  energy. 

"Cherish  her!  treasure  her!  do  not  let  the  insidious  voice  of 
scandal  prejudice  your  mind  against  her  !"  said  the  recluse.  "  Trust 
not  to  friends,  for  they  are  false  and  treacherous.  Oh !  how  fear 
fully  have  I  experienced  all  this!  and  you  see  me  now  what  I  am ! 
I  had  one  who  was  pure,  lovely  and  confiding,  but  I  banished  her 
from  me  with  her  infant,  and  they  are  both  now  angels  in  heaven !" 

"  Have  you  been  long  on  this  island  ?"  said  Jack. 

"Oh,  yes,"  replied  the  maniac,  "  many  years.  Let  me  see — how 
many  ?  No,  no — my  poor  memory  is  gone  !  But  still  I  recollect 
that  frightful  night,  when  the  wind  howled,  and  the  thunder  roared; 
the  vivid  lightning  blazed  across  the  sky.  In  vain  the  vessel  strug 
gled  against  the  fury  of  the  tempest!  One  fearful,  simultaneous 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  85 

shriek  is  heard  to  arise  from  the  poor  wretches  on  board,  and  she 
sinks !  I  struggle  with  the  waves  !  I  am  dashed  upon  the  shore — 
and-^-I  remember  no  more  !  Oh,  yes  !  I  do  bethink  me  now.  The 
next  day  I  picked  up  some  portions  of  the  wreck,  and  some  provi 
sions,  and  by  the  most  extraordinary  exertions  I  was  enabled  to 
build  this  hut,  where  I  have  lived  ever  since,  and  never  till  you  came 
here  have  I  gazed  on  mortal  being !" 

*'  And  was  your  wife,  she  to  whom  you  hav$  alluded,  and  the 
child,  whom  you  loved,  on  board  the  unfortunate  ship?"  anxiously 
asked  our  hero. 

"  No,  no,"  replied  his  wretched  companion,  with  a  wild  look. 
"They  had  gone — perished  before.*  J  drove  them  from  mey-villain, 
monster  that  I  was !" 

"But  how  do  you  know  that  your  wife  and  child  are  not  still  liv 
ing  ?"  inquired  Jack,  eagerly. 

"Living!"  replied  the  maniac  impatiently.  "No,  no,  that  is  im 
possible  ;  do  not  attempt  to  flatter  me  with  false  hopes  and  delusions. 
They  are  buried  beneath  the  ocean's  billows,  and  this  picture,  which 
mv  imagination  drew,  represents  the  awful  scene  !' 

As  he  thus  spoke,  he  took  from  a  drawer  in  the  table  a  rude 
painting  which  our  hero  had  seen  him  ga/ing  at  on  his  first  entrance 
ir.to  the  cottage,  and  exhibited  it  to  him. 

"  It  is  there,"  he  continued,  in  the  same  wild  and  wandering  ac 
cents  ;  ''  see  you  not  how  fiercely  the  storm  rages — how  the  ill-fated 
ship  is  tossed  about  in  the  midst  of  the  breakers,  with  no  hope  of 
rescue  ?  And  there  !  behold  you  not  that  female  form,  with  the  lit 
tle  innocent  at  her  breast  ?  It  is  they — it  is  they !  They  are  con 
stantly  present  to  my  mind's  eye !  Oh,  God !  oh,  God !  Kneel 
with  me,  and  let  us  invoke  the  spirits  of  the  dead!" 

Our  hero  felt  a  most  solemn  and  impressive  sensation  steal  over 
him.  Herbert  now  seemed  more  composed  in  his  mind  ;  and  having 
kindled  a  fire  by  the  same  means  that  Robinson  Crusoe  is  represent 
ed  to  have  done,  namely,  by  rubbing  two  pieces  of  peculiar  wood 
together,  he  placed  upon  it  a  fish,  and  made  other  preparations  for 
a  meal  with  due  formality  and  precision.  This  done,  he  motione^ 
Jack  to  eat,  and  commenced  doing  so  himself.  The  strange  mea 
passed  over  in  silence,  and  Herbert,  having  cleared  all  away,  resum 
ed  his  seat,  and  for  some  moments  continued  tc  gaze  earnestly  at 
Jack. 


86  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

"Come  hither,  boy,  he  said  at  last;  "you  do  not  mind  me;  you 
will  bear  with  me  ?  I  am  but  a  poor  old  man,  borne  down  with  a 
weight  of  care  and  suffering.  You  will  not  leave  me,  will  you?" 

"No,  no,"  answered  our  hero.  "T  will  remain  with  .you,  and  do 
all  in  my  power  to  tranquil ize  your  feelings." 

"  Thank  you  for  that  assurance,'1  said  the  maniac,  "  you  are  very 
good ;  I  can  see  it  by  your  looks  and  words,  and  I  will  be  very,  very 
grateful." 

Our  hero  continued  to  humor  him,  and  during  the  remainder  of 
the  day  Herbert  was  pretty  tranquil.  When  Jack  retired  to  rest, 
thoughts  of  Kate  kept  him  waking  for  some  time,  and  many  were 
the  prayers  he  offered  up  to  heavfen  for  her  protection.  Jack  awoke 
as  the  day  dawned,  and  as  Herbert  appeared  to  sleep  quietly,  he 
determined  to  leave  the  hut  for  a  short  time  and  ramble  to  the  sea 
shore. 

It  was  a  beautiful  morning;  not  a  cloud  obscured  the  horizon, 
the  thoughts  of  our  hero  naturally  reverted  to  his  lovely  Kate,  from 
whom  he  was  separated  by  so  many,  many  miles. 

"A/as!"  he  sighed,  "to  what  dangers  may  you  not  be  exposed, 
and  I  not  at  hand  to  stand  up  in  your  defence !  But  avast,  Jack ! 
•urely  you  are  not  becoming  so  weak  as  to  give  way  to  any  such 
idle  notions  ?  Though  the  wild  waves  divide  us,  and  your  Jack  is 
cast  adrift  and  has  lost  his  reckonings,  he  will  not  give  up  in  despair. 
Oh,  my  sweet  Kate  :  with  what  fond  transport  I  look  forward  to 
the  moment  when  we  shall  meet  again !" 

He  was  interrupted  in  the  midst  of  his  reflections  by  an  exclama 
tion  from  behind  him,  and  turning  round  he  beheld  Herbert  standing 
close  to  him.  Jack  presented  his  hand  in  a  friendly  manner,  but  the 
maniac  drew  back  a  few  paces,  and  eyeing  him  with  a  mingled  ex 
pression  of  reproach  and  sorrow,  he  said  : — 

"  So  you  would  leave  •  me — you  would  desert  poor  old  Herbert, 
after  all  the  promises  you  have  made  to  remain  with  him  in  his  sol 
itude.  Oh,  thou  agt  false,  cruel,  treacherous,  like  the  rest  of  man 
kind  1" 

"  My  good  Herbert,"  replied  our  hero,  persuasively,  "  you  do  me 
wrong ;  I  meant  not  to  desert  you ;  but  as  the  morning  was  fine, 
and  you  slept,  I  thought  I  would  ramble  forth  to—" 

"  Sleep !  sleep !"  interrupted  Herbert  hastily.  "  no,  no,  I  never 
•leep ;  oh,  that  I  could  sleep ;  that  I  could  find  an  oblivion  to  my 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  £7 

thoughts.  You  -ay  the  morn  is  calm  and  lovely,  but  it  is  not  so. 
Do  you  not  mark  how  black  the  heavens  are  ?  Do  you  not  hear 
the  thurrder?  Do  you  not  see  the  lightning's  vivid  flash?  Hear 
you  not  the  roaring  waves  ?  See  you  not  the  storm-tossed  bark  ? 
Do  you  not  hear  that  frantic  cry  for  help  ?  Will  no  one  fly  to  save 
them  ?  Must  they  perish  thus  ?  No,  no — I — I  alone  will  brave 
the  perils  of  the  angry  deep,  and  will  succeed  or  perish  with  them." 

As  the  unfortunate  man  spoke  he  darted  to  the  extreme  verge  of 
the  rock,  and  would  have  precipitated  himself  into  the  deep,  had  not 
our  hero  grasped  his  arm  and  forcibly  detained  him. 

"  My  good  Herbert,"  remarked  the  young  seaman,  "  what  would 
you  do?  Come,  come  ;  this  is  all  a  wild  delusion;  there  is  nothing 
to  disturb  you  thus." 

"  A  delusion!"  repeated  the  maniac,  "does  not  the  tempest  rage, 
then  ?  Do  they  rot  cry  for  help  and  succor  in  their  terrible  calam 
ity  ?  Do  not  seek  to  deceive  me,  or,  old  as  I  am,  it  shall  cost  you 
dear." 

"  No,  no,"  replied  our  hero,  "  I  would  not  deceive  you ;  all  is  calm 
here  as  an  infant's  slumber.  Come,  let  us  return  home." 

"Home!"  repeated  Herbert;  "yes,  we  have  a  home — a  palace 
—and  you  are  to  be  my  future  companion.  You  will  not  abandon 
me?" 

"  1  will  not,"  replied  our  hero,  "  but  will  watch  over  you  the  same 
as  if  you  were  my  father." 

"  The  eyes  of  the  maniac  glistened  with  pleasure,  and  pressing  the 
hand  of  Jack  to  his  lips,  he  said — 

"  Ah  !  now  you  indeed  speak  kind  ;  we  will  be  so  happy  together. 
Uome,  come !  to  our  palace  !" 

Nearly  a  fortnight  passed  away,  when,  as  they  one  afternoon 
walked  to  the  rocks,  our  hero,  casting  his  eyes  across  the  ocean,  ut 
tered  an  exclamation  of  astonishment  on  beholding  a  vessel  at  no 
great  distance,  which  had  cast  anchor,  and  at  that  moment  a  boat 
put  off  from  her  filled  with  men,  and  made  towards  the  island. 

"  By  Heaven,  we  are  saved  !"  he  exclaimed,  grasping  the  arm  of 
the  maniac,  and  directing  his  attention  to  the  vessel  and  the  ap 
proaching  boat. 

The  maniac  uttered  a  wild  exclamation  when  he  beheld  the  vessel, 
and  with  a  powerful  effort  released  himself  from  the  hold  of  oui 
hero. 


88  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

"Ah  !"  he  cried,  "  a  ship!     They  come  to  tear  me  from  my  d* 
minions !  but  they  shall  not  have  me!     I  will  fly  and  conceal  myself 
in  the  bowels  of  the  earth.     Emilia — my  child  !  ye  are  lost  te  me  for 
ever,  and  who  shall  dare  again  to  drag  me  into  the  world  ?     I  go 
I  fly !" 

Before  Jack  had  an  opportunity  to  prevent  him,,  the  unfortunate 
Herbert  had  fled  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning.  Confused  and  be 
wildered,  Jack  knew  not  how  to  act ;  still  he  watched  the  boat  with 
the  greatest  eagerness.  It  came  nearer,  and  our  hero  shouted  as  loud 
as  he  could,  and  waved  his  handkerchief  above  his  head.  They  be 
held  him,  returned  his  salute,  and  then,  pulling  hard,  made  their  way 
into  a  small  creek,  secured  the  boat,  and  ascending  the  rock,  stood 
before  our  hero.  They  were  ferocious-looking  fellows,  and  such  as 
at  any  other  time  Jack  would  not  felt  prepossessed  in  favor  of. 

"  We  put  in  here  for  fresh  water,"  said  one  of  them  ;  "  but,  halloy 
messmate  ;  how  is  it  we  find  you  here  ?" 

"I  was  one  of  the  crew  of  the  unfortunate  ship,  the  Defiance, 
which  was  wrecked  off  this  island,  and  am  the  only  one  saved." 

"The  Defiance!"  repeated  the  man  ;  "let  us  inspect  your  figure 
head  a  little  more  narrowiy.  Ah,  by  Neptune!  messmates,  'tis  he. 
Do  you  not  know  him  ?  'Tis  Jack  Junk  !" 

"  Known  !"  cried  our  hero,  in  a  tone  of  the  utmost  astonishment. 
"  What  is  the  meaning  of  this  ?     Why  do  you  look  so  triumphantlj 
and  savagely  upon  me  ?     Who  are  ye  ?  and  what  is  the  name  01 
the  ship  to  which  you  belong  ?" 

"  Softly,  softly,  my  salt-water  tar,"  said  the  man,  with  a  sneer ; 
"you  will  have  an  opportunity  of  overhauling  our  papers  soon. — 
Secure  him,  and  let  two  of  you  keep  watch,  while  I  and  my  com 
rades  go  in  search  of  the  other  lubber." 

"Villains!"  exclaimed  the  seaman,  struggling;  "  what  would  you 
do  ?  Who  are  you  ?" 

"  Heed  not  his  words;  our  captain  will,  no  doubt,  feel  highly  hon 
ored  and  gratified  with  his  company." 

In  a  moment  Jack  was  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  thrown  upon 
the  ground. 

"  Why  is  this  outrage  'committed  upon  me  ?"  demanded  Jack 
*  What  is  the  name  of  your  vessel,  and  who  is  your  captain  ?" 

44  Why,  if  it  will  afford  you  any  satisfaction  to  know."  said  the 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  89 

fellow,  "  the  name  of  our  vessel  is  the  Black  Raven,  and  her  cap 
tain  is  Hugh  Granfield,  the  daring  Rover  of  the  Seas." 

"  Ah !"  ejaculated  oui  hero,  "  in  the  power  of  that  reckless  mon 
ster!  then,  indeed,  I  am  lost !" 

Nearly  half  an  hour  elapsed,  when  the  other  pirates  returned,  but 
unaccompanied  by  Herbert. 

"  The  swab  has  eluded  us,  and  we  have  no  time  to  waste  in  search 
of  him,"  said  one  of  them ;  "  hut  we  discovered  his  hut  and  leveled 
it  with  the  ground ;  so  the  poor  devil  will  stand  a  good  chance  of 
perishing.  Away  with  this  fellow  to  the  boat ;  there  will  be  a  pleas 
ant  meeting  between  him  and  our  captain." 

Jack  was  carried  to  the  boat,  into  which  he  was  thrown  like  a 
dog,  and  the  pirates  rowed  with  all  their  might  to  the  Black  Raven. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

Jack  Junk  on  board  the  Pirate  Vessel — The  meeting  of  the  Lovers — • 

Their  sufferings. 

WE  will  not  attempt  to  describe  the  feelings  of  our  hero.  The 
Doat  soon  reached  the  ship,  Jack  was  handed  on  board,  and  the  men 
hastened  to  inform  their  captain  of  what  had  taken  place.  The  aston 
ishment  and  satisfaction  of  Stanford  exceeded  all  bounds,  and  he  or 
dered  him  to  be  instantly  brought  before  him.  The  men  obeyed,  and 
presently  returned,  bringing  in  our  hero,  who  started  with  amaze 
ment  and  consternation  when  he  recognized  in  the  pirate  chief,— 
Mark  Stanford,  the  supposed  farmer,  and  his  rival  in  the.  affections 
of  Kate  Markham. 

"You  seem  surprised,  my  worthy  Jack  Junk,"  said  the  pirate,  with 
a  sneer,  "  and  no  doubt  you  .did  not  expect  that  we  should  so  soon 
meet  again,  and  under  such  circumstances.  I  bid  you  welcome  to 
the  Black  Raven." 

"  Villain  !"  exclaimed  our  hero,  indignantly. 

"Better  language,  my  young  spark,"  said  the  pirate;  "you  will 
recollect  that  here  I  am  master,  and  that  you  are  entirely  at  my 
mercy." 

"Your  mercy,  you  lubber!"  repeated  Jack,  scornfu'ly ;    "think 


90  JACK    JUNK  J    OR. 

you  I  will  crave  for  it  ?  No.  I  only  wish  you  would  give  me  a  fair 
chance,  and  if  I  wouldn't  sink  your  piratical  craft  in  less  time  than 
a  man  could  cry  peccavi,  my  name  's  not  Jack  Junk." 

"  Poor  fellow  !"  said  Stanford  ;  "  I  can  make  every  allowance  for 
your  excitement.  Did.-I  not  tell  you  the  time  would  come  when  you 
would  know  Mark  Stanford  better,  and  might  tremble  at  his  power." 

"  Why,  you  infernal  shark  !"  said  the  young  seaman,  "do  you  not 
think  that  you  deserve  to  be  strung  up  to  the  yard-arm  like  a  dog, 
as  richly  as  any  rascal  that  ever  embellished  a  gibbet-post  ?  But  I 
defy  you,  you  lubber !  although  fate  has  placed  me  in  your  power, 
Providence  will  protect  me,  and,  ere  long,  release  me  from  your 
clutches." 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you  so  sanguine,"  said  Stanford,  "  for  it  will 
only  render  your  disappointment  the  greater.  But  I  have  informa 
tion  for  you  that  may  probably  serve  to  depress  your  spirits.  Kate 
Markham " 

"And  what  of  her?"  demanded  Jack. 

"  Why,"  replied  the  pirate,  coolly,  "  I  merely  wished  to  inform 
you  that  she  is  at  present  in  my  power,  and  destined  to  become  my 
future  mistress." 

"  Liar  !"  cried  Jack. 

"  If  you  have  any  doubts  upon  the  subject,"  said  the  pirate,  "  I 
will  soon  convince  you  that  Kate  is  not  only  in  my  power,  but  is  «t 
this  very  moment  on  board  this  vessel." 

"  On  board  this  vessel  P'^repeated  our  hero,  with  a  shudder  of 
horror. 

"  Fool !  why  should  you  deubt  my  word  ?  Mark  Stanford,  or 
Hugh  Granfield  the  pirate,  is  not  in  the  habit  of  making  empty 
boasts.  The  beauteous  Kate  is  in  my  power,  and  is  destined  to 
become  my  victim.  You  struck  me,  called  me  villain,  and  I  will 
not  fail  to  make  you  pay  dearly  for  it." 

"Mark  Stanford,"  said  our  hero,  "for  myself  I  care  not ;  do  with 
me  as  you  please,  heap  upon  me  any  indignity,  but  oh,  I  implore 
your  mercy  for  that  fair  and  innocent  girl,  whom  I  love  far  dearer 
than  my  very  existence !  You  cannot,  even  hardened  villain  as 
you  are,  dare  to  put  your  disgusting  and  terrible  threats  against  her 
'nto  execution !" 

"  Poor  fool !  Mark  Stanford  is  not  apt  to  change  his  mind.  My 
decisions  are  always  prompt  and  resolute.  Kate  Markham  shall 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  9l 

become  my  victim,  and  no  power  can  rescue  her  from  the  fate  to 
which  I  have  doomed  her.     Away  with  him,  boys!" 

Jack  was  confined  in  a  cabin  of  the  smallest  dimehsions ;  and 
when  he  was  alone,  he  gave  himself  up  to  those  feelings  of  anguish 
which  the  reader  must  be  aware  distracted  his  bosom.  To  know 
that  his  beloved  Kate  was  in  the  power  of  the  pirate  chief,  tortured 
hi  if)  more  than  all ;  and  it  was  sometime  ere  he  could  bring  his  mind 
to  anything  like  a  degree  of  composure. 

On  the  day  on  which  our  hero  had  been  seized  and  brought  on 
board  the  pirate  ship,  Kate  had  felt  her  spirits  more  than  usually 
depressed.  It  seemed  to  her  as  if  something  of  the  most  extraor 
dinary  and  fatal  description  was  about  to  happen,  and  she  trembled 
in  every  limb,  though  why  she  did  so,  she  could  not  imagine.  This 
feeling  continued  through  the  night.  Morning  came,  and  in  a  short 
time  the  cabin-door  was  unfastened,  and  Mark  Stanford  made  his 
appearance. 

"  How  fares  the  lovely  Kate  this  morning  ?"  said  the  villain ;  "  by 
all  my  hopes,  you  look  more  beautiful  than  ever !  Nay,  frown  not, 
for  it  is  with  smiles  of  pleasure  that  you  should  greet  your  fond 
admirer." 

"  Mr.  Stanford,"  replied  the  indignant  girl,  "  are  you  destitute  oi 
every  manly  feeling  that  you  delight  thus  to  torture  me  ?  Leave 
me,  I  beseech  you." 

"  Pshaw,  girl !  what  is  the  use  of  this  prudish  obstinacy  ?  You 
are  mine — irrevocably  mine  ;  and  a  few  days  shall  witness  the  com- 
pletion  of  my  triumph." 

"  God  forbid  !"  ejaculated  Kate  ;  "  but  I  will  not  despair.  I  will 
put  my  trust  in  him,  and  he  will  not  fail  to  frustrate  your  guilty 
designs." 

"  Well,  my  scornful  beauty,"  returned  the  pirate,  "  you  may  en 
tertain  such  hopes,  but  they  will  be  doomed  to  disappointment ;  but 
I  came  here  to  bring  you  news.  Your  lover,  Jack  Junk " 

"  Ah  !"  cried  Kate,  "  why  do  you  mention  him  ?  Speak  ! — whaf 
of  him  ?" 

"  He  has  fallen  into  my  hands,  and  is  at  present  on  board  thi* 
vessel." 

"Great  God  !"  exclaimed  the  distracted  girl,  raising  her  hands  to 
wards  heaven,  "  can  this  indeed  be  true  ?' 


92  JACK    JUNK  ;    OB, 

"  I  will  convince  you  of  the  truth  of  what  I  say  by  introducing 
you  to  him,"  said  the  pirate. 

"  Alas  !"  groaned  Kate,  "  then  my  misery  is  complete.  But  what 
is  your  intention  towards  him  ?" 

"  That  depends  entirely  on  your  conduct,"  said  the  pirate.  "  My 
sweet  Kate,  you  have  it  in  your  power  to  save  your  lover,  and  win 
my  fondest  and  most  fervent  devotion.  Why  not  yield  that  to  per 
suasion  which  must  be  accomplished  by  force  ?" 

"  Mark  Stanford,"  said  our  heroine,  solemnly,  "  you  may  pride 
yourself  upon  your  power,  but  have  you  no  dread  of  the  Almighty 
power  of  the  Supreme,  who " 

"  Bah !"  interrupted  the  pirate,  impatiently ;  "  ought  you  not,  by 
this  time,  to  have  learned  that  I  completely  scorn  the  power  you 
invoke  ?" 

Kate  shuddered  at  these  words;  and  it  was  sometime  before  she 
recovered  from  the  emotion  into  which  she  had  been  thrown  by  the 
threats  of  the  pirate. 

Our  hero,  Jack  Junk,  was  at  the  same*  time  suffering  all  the  mar 
tyrdom  of  suspense  in  relation  to  his  beloved  Kate. 

Kate  was  kneeling  in  prayer,  when  she  was  interrupted  by  the 
opening  of  the  cabin-door,  and  the  next  instant  the  unfortunate 
lovers  were  locked  in  each  other's  arms. 

"Kate,  my  beloved — my  unfortunate  Kate!"  cried  our  hero,  in  a 
voice  of  the  deepest  emotion,  and  pressing  her  beauteous  form  still 
closer  to  her  bosom, — "  and  do  we  again  meet  under  such  circum 
stances  ?  By  heaven !  this  trial  is  more  than  I  can  bear." 

"  My  poor  Jack  !"  sobbed  the  maiden  ;  ''never  did  I  imagine  that 
such  unmerited  misfortunes  as  these  would  befall  us.  But  I  care 
not  so  much  for  myself  as  for  the  terrible  fate  with  which  you  are 
threatened."  „ 

"  And  which,  you  may  rest  assured,  I  will  fulfil  to  the  very  letter," 
remarked  the  pirate,  with  a  look  of  fierce  determination.  "  Do  you 
any  longer  doubt  the  power  I  hold  in  my  hands  ?" 

"  For  myself  I  care  not,"  said  our  hero ;  "  for  I  trust  that  Provi 
dence  will  give  me  fortitude  to  endure  any  outrages  you  may  think 
proper  to  inflict  upon  me  ;  but  I  condescend  to  implore  your  mercy 
foi  this  innocent  maiden,  whom  I  love  far  dearer  than  my  own 
existence." 

"  I  know  it,"  returned  the  pirate  ;  "and  do  you  think  that,  now  I 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  93 

nave  3Tou  both  in  my  power,  I  shall  abandon  my  designs  ?  Oh,  I 
will  wring  your  heart  and  glory  in  your  anguish  !  This  beauteous 
girl  is  mine,  and  you  shall  be  the  daily  witness  of  her  degradation." 

"  Heartless  scoundrel !"  exclaimed  our  hero. 

"  No  more  !"  cried  Stanford,  seizing  Kate  by  the  arm,  and  endea 
voring  to  force  her  from  him  ;  "  the  meeting  is  at  an  end.  I  have 
indulged  you*  too  long." 

Swelling  with  rage,  Jack  aimed  a  blow'  at  the  head  of  Stanford 
with  his  clenched  fist,  and  Kate,  screaming  with  terror,  darted  be 
tween  them. 

"  Ah !"  cried  the  pirate,  fiercely,  "dare  you  thus  set  me  at  de 
fiance  ?  What  ho !  there  !" 

In  a  minute  Pierce  and  two  or  three  other  piiates  rushed  into  the 
cabin. 

"The  dog  has  dared  to  strike  me!"  said  their  captaia :  "seize 
him,  and  place  him  in  irons,  and  then  await  my  orders." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  interest  Thickens — The  Desperate  Combat  between  Jack  Junk 
and  Mark  Stanford. 

JACK  JUNK  was  retaken  to  the  cabin,  where  he  had  before  oeen 
confined,  and  his  limbs  loaded  with  fetters,  so  that  he  was  hardly 
able  to  rise  from  his  seat.  In  this  situation  he  had  been  about  an 
hour,  when  the  cabin-door  opened  and  Stanford  entered.  For  a  few 
moments  he  gazed  at  him  with  an  expression  of  fiendish  triumph,  and 
our  hero  returned  his  gaze  with  a  look  of  the  utmost  scorn. 

"  So,  my  gallant  rival,"  said  the  pirate  in  accents  of  irony,  "you 
are  placed  in  the  bilboes  at  last !  Those  darbies  become  you  amaz 
ingly  ;  I  have  no  doubt  they  will  cure  you  of  some  of  your  mad 
tricks." 

"  Cowardly  villain  !"  returned  our  hero,  "  I  scorn  and  despise  you. 
It  is  true  I  am  in  your  power,  and  have  no  means  to  help  myself ; 
but  I  do  not  despair  that  the  time  will  come  when  both  myself,  and 
the  innocent  Kate,  will  be  rescued,  and  the  retribution  of  offended 
justice  wil  descend  on  your  head. 

"  Idiot !"  exclaimed  Stanford,  "  what  hope  is  there  of  your  being 


94  JACK  JUNK  ;  OR, 

released  ?     You  may  depend  upon  it  that  all  I  have  promised  I  will 
perform." 

"  You  will  not  dare  to  attempt  to  wrong  her,  Mark  Stanford,  01 
Hugh  Granfield,  or  whatever  else  your  name  may  be,"  said  Jack. 
"No,  I  will  give  even  you  the  credit  of  possessing  too  much  manly 
feeling,  to  sacrifice  to  your  guilty  passions  one  so  young  and  inno 
cent.  Fetter  me,  scourge  me,  torture  me,  in  whatever  way  you 
like,  but  at  least  spare  her." 

"Oh,  fear  not,"  replied  Stanford, ''  I  am  too  gallant  not  to  treat  my 
future  mistress  with  becoming  gallantry.  I  go  once  more  to  visit 
the  lovely  Kate  Markham,  and  to  again  prepare  her  for  the  fate  to 
which  I  have  destined  her." 

One  night — and  a  dark  and  ^empestuous  looking  night  it  was — a 
fierce  storm  arose  :  the  sea  swelled  to  a  frightful  degree,  and  alJ 
around  threatened  inevitable  destruction  to  those  who  were  exposed 
to  its  fury.  The  vessel  was  every  now  and  then  engulphed  in  a 
tremendous  sea,  and  then  the  next  fnstant  it  seemed  as  though  she 
was  about  to  be  forced  from  that  element,  and  tc  be  hurled  to_Jhe 
clouds.  All  was  excitement  and  consternation  on  board  the  pirate 
vessel,  and  the  oaths  of  the  men  as  they  hurried  to  their  different 
duties,  were  frightful.  Fiercely  Mark  Stanford  gave  his  orders, 
whilst  Pierce  employed  himself  more  coolly  and  actively,  in  differ 
ent  parts  of  the  ship.  Over  mountain  waves 'the  ship  was  tossed, 
with  more  than  lightning  speed  ;  louder  and  louder  roared  the  thun 
der  ;  more  terrifically  bellowed  and  howled  the  wind,  and  destruc 
tion  seemed  to  be  threatened  with  each  rolling  wave.  And  what 
were  the  sufferings  of  our  heroine  during  this  frightful  sen?on  ?  It 
would  be  almost  impossible  for  any  language,  however  powerful,  to 
convey  even  the  slightest  idea  of  them. 

"  Great  God !"  she  exclaimed,  "  look  down  upon  us,  in  this  our 
hour  of  extremity,  and  do  not,  I  humbly  beseech  Thee,  allow  us  to 
perish  thus!  Jack!  my  own  beloved,  faithful  Jack!  may  Heaven 
give  you  fortitude  to  support  these  dreadful  trials,  and  strengthen 
you  mind  with  hope.  Would  that  we  were  together,  that  we  might 
consult,  advise,  and  thus  derive  at  least  some  consolation ;  but  the 
Almighty's  will  be  done."  Two  or  three  times  she  went  to  the 
window,  and  gazed  out  upon  the  storm,  but  its  horrors  were  too 
great  for  her  to  contemplate  lor  many  moments,  and  she  hastily 
withdrew,  and  once  more  sank  into  meditation. 

- 


THE    TAB    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  99 

Solemn,  indeed,  were  her  thoughts,  but  still  in  the  midst  of  them 
all,  a  certain  feeling  of  hope  came  over  her  which  encouraged  her 
on,  and  tranquillized  her  mind,  when  it  might  otherwise  have  been 
so  distressed  as  to  be  past  all  human  endurance. 

During  this  time  of  excitement  the  reader  may  imagine  what  the 
feelings  of  our  hero  were.  He  paced  the  narrow  confines  of  his 
cabin,  as  well  as  his  fetters  would  allow  him  ;  and  many  and  ago 
nizing  were  the  expressions  of  grief  to  which  he  gave  utterance.. 
But  it  was  not  for  himself  that  he  felt  the  slightest  emotion  ;  he  had 
faced  death  too  often,  in  its  most  terrific  forms,  to  be  now  appalled 
at  its  approach.  No,  it  was  for  that  fair  and  beloved  being,  his 
beauteous  and  beloved  Kate,  that  all  his  anxieties  were  aroused ; 
and  when  he  thought  of  the  misery  of  her  situation,  and  the  almost 
utter  hopelessness  of  her  being  saved  from  an  untimely  death,  he 
was  quite  unmanned,  and  madness  almost  seized  upon  his  brhin. 

"  This  craft,"  hqjsaid,  "  good  as  she  is — too  good  for  the  rascals 
who  hold  possession  of  her — can  never  weather  such  a  storm  as 
this.  My  eyes  !  it  does  blow  big  guns  !  There's,  a  lurch  ! — more 
water  in  the  hold  !  To  the  pumps  !  to  the  pumps ! — she  has  sprung 
aleak,  I  imagine,  and  nothing  can  save  her;  and  here  am  I,  bound 
nand  and  foot,  like  a  felon,  unable  to  render  you,  my  beloved  Kate, 
the  least  assistance.  Assistance !  what  could  I  do,  even  if  my  limbs 
were  at  liberty,  opposed  to  these  villains  ?  Nothing !  I  shall  go 
mad !  Who's  aboard  ?  Skipper,  ahoy  !" 

He  was  interrupted  by  hearing  some  one  at  the  door  of  the  cabin ; 
and,  a  moment  or  two  afterwards,  the  bolts  were  withdrawn,  and 
two  of  the  pirates  presented  themselves. 

"  How,  now,  you  sons  of  the  devil !"  said  the  honest  tar,  "  what 
would  you?" 

"  Only  just  relieve  you  from  these  ornaments,  my  young  sea-lion," 
replied  one  of  the  fellows, 

•'Thank  you  for , that,  at  any  rate,"  said  Jack;  "for  these  are 
not  the  ornaments  with  which  the  person  of  a  gentleman  should  be 
decorated  ;  so  lend  a  hand,  and  mind  .you  do  your  work  handsome 
ly,  or,  damme,  if  I  don't  put  you  upon  six-water  grog  for  a  month !" 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !"  laughed  one  of  the  ruffians ;  "  well,  I  don't  so 
much  dislike  you,  because  you  seem  so  jolly  and  contented-like 
under  all  circumstances,  and  especially  while  such  a  storm  as  this 
iff  blowing." 


96  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

"A  storm!"  replied  our  hero;  "do  you  take  me  fo»- a  powder- 
monkey  or  a  swab,  that " 

(l  We/'  interrupted  the  pirate,  "  want  you  to  work  the  pumps, 
and  we  shall  then  have  an  opportunity  of  judging  of  the  qualities 
of  Jack  Junk,  the  tar  for  all  weathers." 

"  Very  good,"  returned  Jack  ;  "  anything  for  a  quiet  life,  my  Tro 
jan.  Helm's-a-lee  ! — bear  a  hand — take  these  grapnels  off — put 
me  to  the  test,  and  you  will  find  that  Jack  knows  how  to  do  his 
duty,  if  it  be  only  to  save  the  lives  of  such  a  rascally  set  of  curs  as 
you !" 

Our  hero  was  taken  on  deck  and  placed  at  the  pumps,  where  he 
worked  manfully,  answering  the  taunts  of  Stanford  in  his  usual 
independent  manner. 

The  storm  was  severe — and,  when  it  abated,  Jack  was  conveyed 
back  to  his  cabin,  where,  worn-out  with  the  many  hours'  exertion 
he  had  undergone,  but  more  so  with  the  anguislvof  his  feelings,  he 
was  left  to  his  own  reflections.  We  need  not  attempt  to  describe 
what  they  were,  for  we  presume  that  the  reader  will  be  able  to  form 
a  pretty  correct  idea  of  them ;  but  all  his  anxiety  was  for  Kate,  and 
most  agonizing  were  the  doubts  and  apprehensions  which  took  pos 
session  of  his  mind. 

"She  may  even  now  have  been  degraded  and  brought  to  shame 
and  misery,"  he  ejaculated  ;  "  and  if  so,  far  better  would  it  have  beep 
for  both  her  and  me  had  we  perished  in  the  storm.  But  no — I  can 
never  believe  that  Providence  would  suffer  such  a  scoundrel  as 
Stanford  to  triumph  in  his  diabolical  designs." 

By  degrees  he  became  more  tranquil,  and  endeavored  to  look  for 
ward  to  the  future  with  hope  and  confidence — but  that  was  a  task 
aot  easy  of  accomplishment,  and  he  paced  the  narrow  limits  of  the 
cabin  in  which  he  was  confined,  in  a  state  of  considerable  excite 
ment. 

Poor  Kate,  too,  was  in  a  torturing  state  of  mind  ;  and,  as  the  rude 
voices  of  the  pirates  reached  her  ears,  her  agitation  and  alarm 
increased,  and  she  dreaded  every  moment  the  re-appearance  of 
Stanford,  especially  as  the  storm  had  subsided. 

"Alas!"  she  sighed,  "there  is,  I  fear,  no  hope  for  us!  Kind 
Heaven,  I  implore  you  to  look  down  with  pity  upon  us  both,  and  to 
frustrate  the  nefarious  designs  of  our  remorseless  enemy  .'" 

But  we  might  become  tedious  were  we  to  attempt  to  describe  all 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  97 

the  feelings  which  at  that  time,  and  under  such  fearful  circumstances, 
agitated  the  bosom  of  the  lovers.  All  prospect  of  their  escaping 
from  the  fate  which  threatened  them  appeared  to  be  at  an  end,  and 
there  was  nothing  left  for  them  but  to  make  up  their  minds  for  the 
worst.  The  pirate  craft  bore  on  hei  way  much  better  than  could 
be  expected  under  the  circumstances  ;  and  fortune,  in  one  of  her 
capricious  moods,  seemed  to  smile  upon  the  villains. 

The  Black  Raven  still  pursued  her  course,  propelled  by  a  favoring 
breeze,  and  it  seemed  at  present  as  if  there  was  every  prospect  ot 
her  reaching  the  place  to  which  she  was  bound  in  perfect  safety. 
Evening  approached,  and  our  hero  had  been  for  some  time  seated 
in  one  corner  of  the  small  cabin  in  which  he  was  a  prisoner,  his 
elbows  placed  upon  his  knees,  and  his  chin  resting  upon  his  hands, 
wrapped  in  meditation,  when  a  sudden  thought  occurred  to  him,  and 
he  acted  upon  it  at  the  moment.  Starting  to  his  feet,  he  went  to  the 
door  of  his  cabin  and  tried  it !  The  presentiment  that  had  come 
over  the  young  seaman's  mind  in  so  extraordinary  a  manner,  was 
realized  !  The*  door  was 'open,  but  how  it  had  been  left  so  incau 
tiously  insecure  he  could  not  imagine,  and  he  did  not  take  much 
pains  to  inquire. 

"  By  all  my  hopes,"  he  ejaculated,  having  succeeded  in  freeing 
himself  from  his  irons,  "  this  may  turn  out  to  be  most  fortunate.  If 
I  can  but  find  the  means  of  concealing  myself  in  some  part  of  this 
infernal  craft,  and  securing  the  means  of  defence,  I  may  yet,  not 
withstanding  I  am  but  single-handed,  have  an  opportunity  of  render 
ing  good  service,  and  defending  my  beauteous  Kate.  Now  Heaven 
hear  an  honest  seaman's  prayer,  and  aid  him  in  his  efforts  in  the 
cause  of  humanity  and  justice." 

He  partially  opened  the  cabin  door,  and  listened.  All  was  com 
paratively  silent,  save  the  low  murmuring  and  plashing  of  the  waves, 
as  they  beat  against  the  sides  of  the  ship.  Jack  felt  inspired  with 
fresh  courage,  and  stepped  forth  from  the  cabin  crawling  on  his 
hands  and  knees,  the  better  to  avoid  immediate  detection.  He  had 
not  proceeded  very  far,  when  his  hands  came  in  contact  with  some 
thing,  and  to  his  infinite  gratification,  it  turned  out  to  be  a  sword. 

"  This  is  most  fortunate,"  he  muttered  to  himself;  "Providence 
at  last  seems  to  favor  me  in  my  designs.  Now,  if  I  have  but  the 
opportunity  afforded  me,  let  whatever  may  be  the  consequences,  I 
will  at  least  rid  the  world  of  such  a  blood-thirsty  miscreant  as  this 
fellow,  Mark  Stanford,  or  Hugh  Granfield." 

He  proceeded  on  his  way  without  the  least  obstruction,  and  soon 
found  a  place  where  he  could  conceal  himself,  and  overhear  and 
observe  most  of  what  was  passing  among  the  pirates,  without  being 
under  any  apprehension  of  being  detected  himself. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Mark  Stanford  made  his  way  to  the  cabin  in 
which  he  had  secured  our  heroine,  strongly  excited  by  drink,  and 
his  guilty  mind  bent  upon  the  most  brutal  purposes.  He  unlocked 


98  JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

the  door,  and  entering  the  cabin,  found  Kate  seated  in  a  melancholy 
attitude,  and  apparently  immersed  in  deep  and  painful  meditation  ; 
indeed,  so  busily  were  her  thoughts  occupied,  that  for  a  moment  or 
two,  she  was  not  aware  of  his  presence ;  but  when  she  did  become 
so,  she  started  to  her  feet,  and  gazed  upon  him  with  an  expression 
of  disgust. 

"Villain  ;"  at  length  she  said,  in  a  voice  of  the  greatest  agitation, 
"  why  do  you  thus  intrude  upon  the  wretched  and  unoffending  vic 
tim  of  your  cruelty  ?" 

"Kate  Mark  ham,"  replied  the  ruffian,  in  stern  and  determined 
accents,  "  this  is  not  the  time  to  waste  in  words,  and  you  may  spare 
your  scorn  and  your  reproaches,  for  they  are  both  alike  useless  to 
you,  and  will  have  no  effect  upon  me.  This  hour  I  have  set  apart 
for  love  and  enjoyment — this  hour  1  have  resolved  shall  crown  the 
summit  of  my  wishes,  and  nothing  shall  move  me  from  my  purpose." 

"  Oh,  mercy !  mercy !"  cried  the  blushing  and  horror-stricken 
damsel,  sinking  on  her  knees,  "  oh,  think,  I  beseech  you,  of  my  youth 
and  unprotected  state,  and  if  you  have  one  spark  of  manly  feeling 
remaining  in  your  breast,  you  will  abandon  your  atrocious  designs; 
and  if  you  still  think  proper  to  detain  me  a  prisoner,  do  not  consign 
me  to  a  fate  which  is  far  too  horrible  and  revolting  even  to  think 
upon." 

"Kate  Markham,"  replied  the  hardened  scoundrel,,  "you  should 
know  me  well  by  this  time,  and  should  be  aware  that  I  never  threat 
en  that  which  I  have  not  full  determination  to  carry  into  execution. 
You  ask  for  mercy,  but  I  tell  you  that  I  have  none  to  bestow." 

As  the  inhuman  wretch  thus  spoke,  he  hastily  advanced  towards 
his  intended  victim  and  seized  her  in  his  arms,  while  poor  Kate 
was  so  completely  terrified,  that  she  was  only  enabled  to  offer  the 
most  weak  resistance. 

"Mercy!  mercy  ! — God  of  Heaven,  interpose  and  save  me  !'  she 
shrieked  frantically.  "O  spare  me!  spare  me!" 

"  Your  cries  are  useless,"  replied  Stanford — "  there  is  no  one  here 
to  save  you." 

"Liar! — hell-dog  !"  exclaimed  a  stern  and  manly  voice  ;  "here 
is  one  that  will  defend  that  innocent  girl  as  long  as  a  drop  of  blood 
remains  in  his  veins  !" 

The  pirate  captain  released  his  hold  of  our  heroine  at  this  unex 
pected  salute;  and,  starting  round  aghast  and  with  the  most  inde 
scribable  astonishment,  beheld  standing,  with  his  back  against  the 
cabin  door,  and  sword  in  hand,  Jack  Junk ! 

He  was  so  completely  taken  by  surprise,  that  he  could  scarcely 
believe  the  evidence  of  his  senses;  but  Kate  Markham  no  sooner 
beheld  her  lover,  than  with  a  loud  cry  of  joy  she  flew  towards  him, 
and  was  immediately  pressed  to  his  bosom. 

"My  Kate,  my  adored  Kate,"  said  our  hero,  "lookup,  and  fear 
BCt :  Providence  has  sent  me,  in  the  moment  of  imminent  peril, 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  99 

to  youi  fescue,  and  therefore  it  shows  plainly  that  God  has  not 
deserted  us.  As  for  you,  you  rascally,  black-livered  scoundrel, 
you  must  either  be  a  better  man  than  Jack  Junk,  or  before  many 
minutes  have  elapsed  he  will  cut  that  ugly  carcass  of  yours  into 
mince-meat !"  % 

"  D n  !"  exclaimed  the  infuriated  Stanford,  drawing  his  sword 

•'am  I  betrayed  ?     Jack  Junk  here  ?     What,  ho,  there  !" 

"Avast,  avast!"  returned  our  hero,  with  the  utmost  coolness ; 
"  you  may  pipe  all  hands,  if  you  think  proper ;  but  you  see  I  have 
secured  the  door,  which  you  were  so  kind  as  to  leave  open  for  my 
admission;  and  before  any  of  your  lubberly  crew  can  come  to  your 
assistance,  I  will  at  least  settle  my  little  accounts  with  you.  Stand 
back,  dear  Kate,  and  see  how  soon  I  will  polish-  this  black-whiskered 
gentleman  off." 

"Alas,  Jack,"  said  the  maiden,  "of  what  use  is  this  resistance, 
unless  you  have  friends  on  board  ?" 

"At  any  rate,  my  sweet  lass,"  replied  her  lover,  "if  I  can  only 
manage  to  settle  the  business  of  this  .fellow,  there  will  be  one  devil 
less  in  the  world." 

"  Fool !"  replied  Stanford,  rushing  desperately  and  determinedly 
towards  him,  "then  take  your  choice!" 

Their  swords  met  so  violently  that  both  blades  sent  forth  a 
column  of  sparks,  and  the  contest  commenced  with  the  most  deter, 
mined  bravery  on  both  sides,  Stanford  all  the  time  giving  utterance 
to  the  most  dreadful  oaths,  and  shouting  aloud  for  assistance — for 
it  seemed  not  at  all  unlikely  that  the  gallant  young  seaman  would 
prove  more  than  a  match  for  him.  But  how  great  was  the  terror 
of  poor  Kate !  She  could  scarcely  keep  herself  from  fainting,  and 
awaited  the  result  of  the  combat  in  a  state  of  the  most  painful 
anxiety,  though  it  was  quite  evident,  that,  .let  it  terminate  which 
ever  way  it  might,  unassisted  as  her  lover  was,  he  must  be  defeated; 
and  that  it  was  only  by  some  miraculous  interposition  they  could 
hope  to  be  rescued  from  the  fate  which  was  impending  o'er  their 
heads. 

"Madman  !"  exclaimed  the  infuriated  Mark  Stanford,  "of  what 
use  is  this  desperate  resistance,  circumstanced  as  you  are  ?  It  can 
but  serve  to  bring  down  my  most  terrible  vengeance  on  your  head/' 

"  Villain  !"  replied  Jack,  boldly,  "  I  scorn  your  threats,  and  set  you 
at  defiance  !" 

The  combat  was  now  renewed  with  increased  violence,  and  ter 
rific  were  the  strokes  that  were  dealt  on  both  sides ;  but  at  length 
the  sword  of  our  hero  was  broke  short  ofL  at  the  hilt,  and  he  was 
then  left  at  the  mercy  of  his  fierce  adversary. 

On  beholding  his  perilous  situation,  Kate  Markham  shrieked  aloud 
with  terror,  ana  sank,  breathless,  on  a  seat ;  but  her  lover  immedi 
ately  closed  with  Stanford,  and  a  desperate  struggle  ensued.  The 
c-'rate,  however,  ultimately  proved  the  strongest,  and,  hurling  the 


100  JACK  JUNK;  OR, 

young  seaman  to  the  floor,  stood  over  him,  with  his  sword  pointed 
to  his  breast. 

"Dog!"  he  cried,  "I  have  you  now;  your  life  is  still  in  my  hands, 
and  this  moment  I  could  wreak  my  most  deadly  vengeance  in  your 
heart's  i>lood  !" 

"O  mercy!  mercy,  Mark  Stanford  !"  shrieked  the  terrified  damsel, 
rushing  towards  him;  "spare  him,  I  implore  you,  as  you  hope  tor 
mercy  !" 

"Appeal  not  t'o  him,"  replied  Jack,  ''for  he  is  insensible  to  every 
proper  feeling.  Kate,  my  beloved  Kate,  farewell  forever ;  God, 
I  trust,  will  protect  you  when  I  am  no  more!" 

Stanford  was  about  to  make  some  reply,  when  the  cabin-door 
was  burst  open,  and  Pierce  and  two  or  three  of  the  other  pirates 
entered. 

"How  now,"  said  Pierce,  "what's  the  meaning  of  all  this?'1 

"  Why,  the  meaning  is  simply  this,"  replied  Stanford  ;  "  this  lub 
ber  has  dared  to  make  an  attack  on  my  life,  and  I  have  succeeded 
in  defeating  him.  Bear  him  away  and  load  him  with  the  heaviest 
fetters,  and  see  he  has  no  further  opportunity  of  playing  the  pranks 
he  has  just  now  done." 

Jack,  placed  in  heavy  irons  which  he  could  with  difficulty  sup 
port,  was  enduring  a  state  of  mind  which  was  almost  sufficient  tc 
drive  him  to  madness,-and  from  which  he  in  vain  endeavored  to  ob 
tain  some  relief. 

It  was  some  minutes  after  the  departure  of  the  villain  Stanforo 
from  the  cabin,  ere  our  heroine  was  restored  to  sensibility  ;  and  aftei 
she  was,  for  a  few  moments  she  had  but  a  wandering  recollection 
of  what  had  taken  place.  At  length  the  whole  truth  rushed  upon 
her  brain,  and  in  a  voice  of  the  greatest  agony  she  exclaimed :  ' 

"Ah,  it  was  not  a  dream,  then!  I  am  still  a  wretched  prisoner 
on  board  the  pirate  vessel,  and  in  the  power  of  that  monster  Stan 
ford,  who  has  threatened  my  destruction  and  that  of  him  to  whom 
my  soul  is  so  fondly  devoted.  Good  God !  how  horrible  is  thai 
thought !  Would  to  Heaven  that  I  had  never  more  awoke  to  sense 
or  feeling !" 

At  length}  however,  being  completety  exhausted  with  fatigue  of 
body  and  anguish,  she  did  retire  to  rest,  hoping  that  a  few  hours' 
sleep  might  serve  to  revive  her,  and  to  inspire  her  with  fresh  forti 
tude  to  meet  the  dangers  by  which  she  was  beset  on  every  side. 
It  was  some  time  ere  the  drowsy  god  descended  upon  her  eye-lids, 
and  then  her  rest  was  feverish  and  broken,  and  her  imagination  was 
disturbed  by  frightful  visions,  which  arose  in  rapid  succession,  ana 
made  her  frequently  start  with  terror  and  look  around  her,  in  the 
confusion  df  her  thoughts,  not  knowing  where  she  was.  At  length 
she  awoke  for  good,  and  how  long  she  had  slept  she  could  not  form 
the  least  conjecture — but  the  rays  of  the  sun  were  streaming  full 
in  at  the  cabin-window,  and  Margaret  was  sitting  by  the  door,  and 
was  watching  her  attentive!} 


THE    TAB    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  101 

CHAPTER   IX. 

Tks  Pirates'  Retreat — Unexpected  Appearance  of  Herbert. 

THE  sufferings  of  Jack  Junk  were  unmitigated.  No  one  visited 
him  except  the  ruffian  who  brought  him  his  coarse  and  scanty  meals. 
His  limbs  ached  with  the  weight  of  the  fetters  with  which  he  was 
loaded,  and  (what  added  to  his  bodily  anguish),  he  was  unable  to  lie 
down  or  rest  himself  in  the  least  degree. 

Hour  after  hour  passed  away  without  any  change  taking  place  in 
the  situation  or  feelings  of  our  hero,  and  his  eyes,  from  the  windows  of 
the  cabin  in  which  he  was  confined,  wandered  with  the  utmost  anx 
iety  across  the  deep.  At  length,  towards  the  approach  of  evening, 
he  was  aroused  from  his  meditations  by  a  loud  and  confused  noise 
Upon  deck,  and  he  felt  certain  that  something  particular  had' hap 
pened.  Looking  more  intently  across  the  ocean,  he  soon  discovered 
t'ae  cause ;  for  he  perceived  land  at  a  distance,  toward  which  the 
vessel  was  rapidly  making  her  way,  and  he  had  not  the  least  doubi 
t'lat  there  was  the  place  of  her  destination.  The  nearer  the  vessel 
9  pproached,  the  more  distinct  became  the  view  our  hero  had  of  the 
lind  ;  and  from  what  he  could  perceive,  it  appeared  to  be  a  small, 
locky  island,  but  easy  of  access.  In  what  part  of  the  world  it  was 
situated  he  could  not  form  the  least  conjecture,  for  that  was  a  matter 
(,f  indifference  to  him  ;  since,  wherever  it  was,  he  felt  confident  the 
)/irates  had  some  place  of  security  from  which  there  was  no  chance 
cf  their  escaping,  nor  any  probability  of  their  receiving  any  assist 
ance  from  the  persons  who  might  inhabit  the  island. 

Nearer  and  nearer  the  pirate  ship  approached  the  destined  place, 
and  at  length  veering  round  a  point,  they  entered  a  rock  which  af 
forded  them  a  ready  means  of  casting  anchor,  and  (being  hidden 
IVom  immediate  observation  by  surrounding  rocks)  also  of  effecting 
an  easy  landing.  They  passed  to  a  certain  point,  and  the  anchor 
was  then  cast;  and  our  hero  awaited  the  result  of  the  termination 
of  their  voyage  in  a  state  of  the  greatest  anxiety. 

Having  been  placed  in  the  boat,  Jack  turned  one  look  of  anguish 
towards  the  vessel,  as  if  doubtful  whether  it  was  intended  that  she 
whom  he  so  fondly  loved  was  to  follow,  and  Kate  had  then  a  dis 
tinct  view  of  his  countenance,  and  the  anguish  of  her  mind  was 
increased  when  she  saw  the  deep  expression  of  despair  that  was 
stamped  upon  it.  But  it  was  only  for  a  brief  period  that  she  was 
permitted  thus  to  gaze  ;  another  moment  and  the  boat  put  off  from 
the  vessel,  and  dashed  on  its  way  towards  the  island.  The  moon 
shone  so  brightly  that  she  was  enabled  distinctly  to  watch  its  pro 
gress,  and  she  did  so.  with  the  deepest  anxiety  and  intensity  of  feel 
ing,  tt  was  not  long  in  reaching  the  shore,  and  having  landed,  her 


102  JACK    JUNK  J    OR, 

unfortunate  lover  and  the  pirates  were  quickly  hidden  from  her  view 
but  still  she  remained  with  her  eyes  steadily  fixed  upon  the  spot,  and 
in  about  ten  minutes  she  observed  the  pirates  return  to  the  boat,  and 
once  more  make  their  way  towards  the  vessel,  which  it  reached  in  a 
short  time,  and  two  of  them  came  on  board.  Kate  guessed  full  well 
what  their  errand  would  be,  and  she  was  not  long  kept  in  suspense. 
She  heard  the  tread  of  hasty  footsteps  outside  her  cabin,  and  directly 
afterwards  the  door  was  thrown  open,  and  Pierce  and  another  of 
the  crew  appeared.  Our  heroine  shrank  back  on  beholding  them, 
and  could  not  conceal  the  terror  she  experienced  ;  but  her  emotion 
was  too  great  to  suffer  her  to  speak,  and  Pierce  advancing  towards 
her,  said  in  abrupt  tones  : — 

"We  have  arrived  at  last  at  the  place  of  our  destination,  young 
tedy,  and  Jack  Junk  is  already  safely  housed  ;  we  must  trouble  you 
to  follow  him,  for  such  are  our  captain's  orders." 

"  Heaven  have  mercy  upon  me  and  protect  me  !"  ejaculated  the 
poor  girl  in  a  voice  of  anguish. 

"  Well,  well,"  returned  the  ruffian  Pierce,  "  it  is  not  our  place  to 
listen  to  such  jargon  as  that ;  all  we  have  to  do  is  to  obey  our  in 
structions,  and  those  are  to  convey  you  as  quickly  as  possible  after 
your  lover,  to  our  retreat  yonder." 

On  arriving  on  deck,  our  heroine  cast  her  eyes  mournfully  towards 
the  black  and  formidable  prison  to  which  she  was  about  to  be  con 
signed,  as  its  dark  wall  frowned  like  a  monstrous  libel  upon  the 
bright  moonlight,  which  streamed  with  such  effulgence  upon  all 
around,  and  she  could  not  repress  a  deep  and  heartfelt  sigh;  but  it 
was  not  so  much  on  her  own  account  as  that  of  her  lover.  Pierce 
handed  her  into  the  boat  himself,  and  two  more  of  the  pirates  follow 
ed.  Having  landed  at  the  same  spot  where  she -had  seen  them  land 
her  lover,  they  turned  round  an  abrupt  angle  of  the  rock,  and  Kate 
had  then  a  clear  view  of  the  island,  in  the  broad  and  mellow  light  of 
the  moon,  and  also  of  the  gloomy  building  {o  which  the  ruffians  were 
conveying  her,  and  whose  dark  walls  seemed  to  frown  despair  upon 
her. 

The  building  was  situated  on  the  summit  of  a  lofty  and  apparently 
almost  inaccessible  rock,  and  our  heroine  wondered  by  what  means 
they  could  reach  it ;  but  she  was  not  long  kept  in  suspense  upon  this 
subject,  for,  on  arriving  at  the  foot  of  the  rock,  she  beheld  a  small 
cavity,  just  sufficiently  wide  for  one  person  to  pass  through  at  a  time, 
and  on  passing  through  it,  one  of  the  pirates  having  opened  a  lantern 
which  he  brought  with  him,  she  perceived  that  they  were  in  a  spa 
cious  cavern,  evidently  formed  by  the  hand  of  nature,  and  at  the 
further  end  of  it  was  a  rude  and  lofty  flight  of  steps,  hewn  out  of  the 
solid  rock.  Pierce  and  the  other  pirate  led  her  towards  these  steps, 
which  they  began  to  ascend.  They  were  winding,  and  seemed  to 
conduct  to  the  summit  of  the  rock,  and  the  task  of  ascending  them 
was  one  of  great  fatigue.  At  length,  however,  they  emerged  from 
the  rock,  and  stood  immediately  before  the  ffloomy  building. 

' 


' 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS  103 

Kate  cast  her  eyes  around  her  in  despair,  and  tne  view  which  she 
had  of  the  island  and  the  surrounding  ocean  was  of  the  most  exten 
sive  description,  and  inspired  her  with  a  feeling  of  awe  which  she 
found  it  impossible  to  control.  But  very  little  time  was  allowed 
her  to  indulge  in  this  contemplation,  for  Pierce,  having  taken  a  key 
from  his  pocket,  applied  it  to  the  lock  of  a  ponderous  door,  and  tra 
versing  a  dark  passage  they  came  to  a  narrow  staircase,  which 
seemed  to  Jettd  to  some  places  under  the  building.  On  reaching  the 
bottom  they  found  themselves  in  a  subterranean  passage,  on  each 
side  of  which  were  heavy  doors,  which  seemed  to  open  upon  a  series 
of  vaults  or  dungeons.  Having  traversed  the  full  extent  of  this 
dreary  passage,  they  arrived  at  another  door,  the  bolts  of  which 
Pierce  withdrew,  and  they  found  themselves  at  the  foot  of  a  lofty 
staircase,  which  evidently  led  to  the  upper  part  of  the  building,  and 
on  gaining  the  top,  and  passing  along  a  gallery,  on  either  side  of 
which  were  several  doors,  which  seemed  to  open  on  different  apart 
ments,  they  turned  round  an  angle  to  the  left,  and  stopped  at  a  door, 
between  the  chinks  of  which  a  light  glimmered.  Pierce  unlocked 
it,  and  they  entered  a  spacious  and  well-furnished  apartment,  in 
which  a  cheerful  fire  was  blazing.  There  were  two  windows  in  the 
room,  out  tney  were  neavny  barred,  giving  it  the  aspect  of  a  prison. 
Our  heroine  sank  exhausted  on  a  seat,  where  she  was  left  by  Pierce 
and  his  companions. 

The  next  night,  after  the  whole  of  the  inmates  of  the  pirate's  re 
treat  had  retired  to  rest,  a  terrible  tempest  arose,  and  Mark  Stan 
ford  was  aroused  from  the  deep  sleep  into  which  he  had  fallen,  by 
the  fury  of  its  voice,  and  started  from  the  bed  in  a  state  of  excite 
ment  and  confusion.  He  rushed  to  the  window,  and  the  sight  which 
he  encountered  was  of  the  most  terrific  description,  and  made  even 
him,  who  had  been  so  many  years  exposed  to  such  numerous  perils 
on  sea  and  land,  shudder.  He  hastily  dressed  himself,  and  had 
scarcely  done  so  when  he  heard  the  voice  of  Pierce  outside  his 
chamber,  asking  for  admittance. 

".By  the  infernal  host,  Pierce,"  said  Mark  Stanford,  when  Pierce 
haa  entered  the  room,  "  this  is  a  storm  with  a  vengeance  ;  there  will 
many  a  vessel  founder  ere  the  morning." 

"  True,  captain,"  replied  Pierce,  "  I  have  seldom  seen  such  a  storm 
as  this.  I  wonder  how  the  Black  Raven  fares !" 

"  I  would  that  I  were  on  board  of  her,"  said  Startford,  "  for  should 

any  accident  occur  to  her Come,  Pierce,  we  must  hasten  to  her 

without  delay."  •, 

"It  will  be  impossible  to  reach  her  in  such  a  storm  as  this;  it 
would  be  certain  death  to  those  who  should  make  the  attempt." 

"  Nonsense,  Pierce,  have  you  turned  coward  ?  Think  you  that 
f  can  rest  calmly  here,  knowing  at  the  same  time  that  our  nobla 
craft  is  in  danger  ?  We  must  rescue  her  at  all  hazards." 

**  Very  well,  captain,  I  am  ready  to  obey  you." 


104  JACK  JCNK;  OR, 

Pierce  quitted  the  room,  and,  for  a  few  minutes,  Mark  Stanford 
was  left  to  himself.  He  again  walked  to  the  window,  and  gazed 
upon  the  furious  battling  of  the  elements,  manifesting  the  greatest 
uneasiness;  but  he  was  interrupted  in. his  meditations  by  the  return 
of  Pierce. 

"  All's  ready,  captain  ;  the  men  are  on  the  way  towards  the  cliffs." 

"  'Tis  well,"  returned  Stanford,  enveloping  himself  in  a  huge  cloak; 
"th6n  we  will  follow  them,  and  at  once  remove  all  doubts  as  to  the 
situation  of  the  Black  Raven." 

Pierce  followed  the  pirate  captain,  though  it  was  evident  it  was 
with  no  very  satisfactory  feelings  that  he  did  so  ;  and  they  made  their 
way  from  the  building,  and  encountered  the  fierce  battering  of  the 
tempest. 

It  was  a  fearful  night — a  frightful  convulsion  of  nature  ;  an4  it  was 
with  difficulty  that  any  person  could, stand  up  against  the  fury  of 
such  a  storm  ;  but  the  anxiety  of  the  pirate  chief  for  the  fate  of  his 
vessel  made  him  feel  as  though  he  could  face  and  brave  any  dan 
ger.  They  had  not  proceeded  any  considerable  distance,  however, 
when  they  met  two  of  the  men  who  had  been  sent  on  before  them, 
hurrying  towards  the  Black  Haven's  nest,  apparently  in  a  state  of 
considerable  excitement. 

"How  now,"  demanded  Stanford,  "  why  are  you  hastening  from 
the  duty  you  were  sent  upon  ?" 

"Captain,"  replied  one  of  the  men,  "lam  sorry  we  have  such 
bad  news  for  you." 

"  Bad  news,  you  swab !"  said  Stanford,  impatiently  and  passion 
ately  ;  "  what  do  you  mean  ?" 

"Our  gallant  vessel — the  Black  Raven — which  has  braced  so 
many  dangers " 

"  What  of  her  ? — speak  !  quick !" 

"  She  has  broken  from  her  anchor,  and  is  nowhere  to  oe  seen !" 

"Liar!"  exclaimed  Stanford,  furiously,  his  eyes  flashing  fire; 
"you  try  to  mock  me — to  jest  with  me — but  beware,  for  I  will  inflict 
such  a  punishment  upon  you  for  your  daring,  as  I  warrant  will 
daunt  all  future  attempts  of  the  kind  !  My  noble  vessel — my  Black 
Raven,  the  terror  of  the  ocean — the  cradle  of  so  many  rnanly  and 
daring  spirits — run  adrift — lost ! — 'tis  a  monstrous  lie  !" 

"  It  is  as  Will  Danston  states,  unfortunately  too  true,  captain," 
observed  the  companion  of  the  man  who  had  communicated  the  in 
telligence  ;  "  you  have  but  to  go  to  the  cliffs  to  convince  yourself." 

"My  vessel  gone,  v^ith  all  the  treasures  and  the  bold  hearts  she 
contained  ?"  cried  the  pirate  chief,  at  the  same  time  his  whole  frame 
was  convulsed,  and  the  distortion  of  his  repulsive  features,  as  the 
lightning  glared  upon  them.  w.as  frightful  to  behold  ;  ''  by  the  infernal 
host,  it  must  be  false!  Follow  me,  Pierce,  and  if  I  find  that  those 
rascals. have  deceived  me,. I  will  invent  such  a  punishment  for  them 
a*  rie^  er  yet  was  conceived  by  human  being  '" 


THE    TAK     FOR    ALL    WEATHERS. 

"Be  calm,  Stanford,"  remonstrated  Pierce  Raker;  'for  these 
bursts  of  passion  cannot  possibly  be  productive  of  any  good.  There 
is  too  much  reason  to  apprehend,  from  the  appearance  of  the  night, 
that  the  statement  of  Will  Danston  and  his  companion  is  too  true.'' 

"D— n  !"  cried  Stanford,  in  the  same  furious  tones  ;  "  if  it  be  so, 
the  power  of  the  pirate  chief  is  lessened  indeed  !  Follow  me,  thou 
birds  of  ill-omen;,  follow  me,  you  Will  Danston.  Dog,  do  you  K^ar 
what  I  say  ?" 

"  Dog  in  your  teeth,  bullying  cur  !"  retorted  Will  Danston,  boldly; 
"  I  will  not  follow  you  any  longer,  for  I  know  if  I  do,  that  my  path 
way  will  be  to  the  gallows — from  which  you  deserved  to  dangle  years 
since  !" 

"  Ah  !  a  mutineer !"  exclaimed  Stanford,  drawing  a  pistol  hastily 
from  his  belt ;  "  by  hell !  I  will  not  give  you  the  opportunity  of 
walking  the  path  to  which  you  have  alluded  !  Die,  daring  knave  ! 
and " 

"  Hold,  captain  !"  interrupted  Pierce.  "  What  would  you  do  ? 
Destroy  one  of  the  best  of  our  crew  ?"  But  before  he  could  arrest 
the  villain's  arm,  he  had  discharged  the  contents  of  the  pistol  in  the 
breast  of  the  unfortunate  man,  and  he  sank  immediately  a  corpse 
upon  the  earth.  His  companion  looked  on  with  a  sullen  expression 
of  horror  and  disgust,  but  he  offered  no  observation. 

"It  is  thus  that  Hugh  Granfield  punishes  all  those  who  dare  to 
rebel  against  his  authority!"  said  the  pirate. 

" 'Twas  a  rash  deed,"  remarked  Pieice,  '•  and  may  be  productive 
of  much  mischief.  Poor  Will  !" 

"Bah!"  cried  Stanford;  "  are  you,  too,  going  to  advocate  his 
cause,  Pierce?  But  why  do  we  delay?-  We  have  everything  at 
slake!  Follow  me! — and  mark  me,  Sam  Barnford:  if  I  find  that 
you  have  hoisted  false  signals,  you  shall  be  food  for  fishes  in  less 
than  a  quarter  of  an  hour!" 

Sarn  Barnford  cast  one  look  of  pity  at  the  bloody  corpse  of  hig 
comrade,  and  a  feeling  at  that  moment  passed  within  his  breast, 
which  it  was  well  for  him  his  brutal  captain  could  not  read  ;  but 
he  made  use  of  no  observation,  but  followed  in  silence,  and  with  a 
sullen,  dogged  step. 

In  a  few  minutes  they  reached  the  cliffs,  and  met  the  remainder 
of  the  crew  who  had  been  sent  to  man  the  boats — and  all  that  had 
been  stated  by  Will  Danston  and  his  companion  was  then  confirm 
ed — the  pirate  barque  was  nowhere  to  be  seen  ! 

To  describe  the  scene  which  then  followed,  would  be  indeed  an 
arduous  task.  Mark  Stanford,  on  discovering  the  loss  of  his  vessel, 
was  perfectly  frantic,  and  the  dreadful  oaths  to  which  he  gave  utter 
ance  might  be  heard  even  above  the  hoarse  voice  of  the  tempest. 

"  Man  the  boats,  cowards !"  he  cried  ;  why  do  ye  stand  idlii/g 
there,  when  you  should  go  in  pursuit  of  our  floating  castle  ?  Away 
with  ye,  I  say!  launch  the  long-boat,  of  which  I  shall  take  the  com 
mand — and  you,  Pierce " 


106  JACK    JITNK  J    OB, 

"Are  you  mad,  captain?"  interrupted  Pierce,  boldly  and  deter« 
minedly ;  "do  you  not  see  that  it  is  impossible,  as  I  before  told  you, 
to  brave  such  a  sea  as  this? — and  that  it  would  be  certain  and  im 
mediate  death  to  all  who  should  be  mad  enough  to  attempt  it  ?" 

"You  desert  me,  then,  all  of  you!"  cried  Stanford,  in  the  same 
distracted  state  ;  "away,  then,  you  lubbers  ! — I  will,  by  myself  alone, 
brave  all  the  terrors  which  you  dare  not  encounter !" 

As  he  thus  spoke,  he  was  madly  rushing  towards  one  of  the  boats, 
when  Pierce  grasped  his  arm  firmly,  and  detained  him  from  his  rash 
purpose  ;  and,  at  the  same  moment,  Mark  Stanford,  the  so  much 
dreaded  Rover  of  the  Seas,  overpmveied  by  the  extraordinary  ex 
citement  of  his  feelings,  sank  exhausted 

"Remain  here  a  few  of  you,"  said  Pierce,  addressing  himself  tt 
the  pirates,  "and  watch  what  takes  place.  Should  any  opportunit} 
present  itself,  you  will  go  in  search  of  our  unfortunate  vessel,  which 
I  fear,  disabled  as  she  is,  will  never  be  able  to  weather  such  a  stonr* 
as  this.  The  rest  follow  me,  and  assist  me  in  conveying  the  cap 
tain  to  our  retreat." 

The  men  nodded  assent  to  these  commands,  and  Mark  Stanford 
being  raised  on  their  shoulders,  was  borne  away,  Sam  Barnford 
following  slowly  behind,  with  the  same  sullen  aspect  and  demeanor. 

"Bloody  miscreant !"  he  muttered  to  himself,  "I  exult  in  that 
whidh  has  taken  place,  to  your  discomfiture!  The  cold-blooded 
murder  of  poor  Will  Danston  shall  not  go  unrevenged  at  the  earliest 
opportunity,  depend  upon  it!" 

Mark  Stanford  was  conveyed  without  delay  to  the  retreat  upon 
the  rock,  and  was  soon  restored  to  consciousness,  but  it  was  some 
time  before  he  could  regain  the  least  composure. 

The  cold-blooded  and  heartless  murder  of  Will  Danston  by  the 
captain,  caused  the  greatest  excitement  among  the  majority  of  the 
pirates,  with  whom  he  was  a  great  favorite.  They  were  filled  with 
indignation,  and  held  a  secret  consultation,  at  which  they  all  swore 
to  a  man  to  avenge  their  comrade's  savage  death  at  their  earliest 
opportunity. 

The  night  passed  away,  the  storm  subsided,  and  Mark  Stanford 
and  Pierce,  accompanied  by  two  or  three  of  the  pirates,  walked  forth 
to  the  beach  at  an  early  hour,  with  the  hope  of  discovering  some 
traces  of  the  Black  Raven  ;  but  they  were  doomed  to  disappointment 
They  saw  only  the  body  of  a  man,  which  lay  upon  the  rocks,  and 
which  Pierce  directed  the  men  to  convey  to  their  retreat. 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS,  107 


CHAPTER  X. 

Extraordinary  Discoveries — Who  is  Jack  Junk? — Thi.  Downfall 
of  the  Pirate  Chief — Happy  Conclusion  of  this  "strange,  event 
ful  History." 

THE  man  whom  they  discovered  was  indeed  Herbert,  the  solitary, 
the  maniac  whom  our  hero  had  so  strangely  encountered,  and  in 
whose  fate  he  felt  so  remarkable  an  interest.  Being  placed  upon 
a  couch,  and  all  the  available  means  applied  for  his  restoration  to 
life,  (most  of  the  pirates — at  the  head  of  whom  was  Sam  Barnford — 
having  assembled  in  the  room,  apparently  out  of  curiosity,)  Mark 
Stanford  folded  his  arms  across  his  chest,  and,  for  a  few  minutes, 
contemplated  him  with  the  most  earnest  looks,  whilst  the  expression 
of  his  features  showed  at  once  the  inward  emotions  that  were  work 
ing  in  his  breast. 

"Sir  Herbert  Haughton  !"  he  said,  at  length,  in  a  tone  of  voice 
which  showed  at  once  that  he  was  unconscious  for  the  moment  (hat 
there  was  any  person  but  himself  present :  '*  what  strange  fatality 
is  this  ?  Did  I  ever,  after  this  lapse  of  years,  expect  to  behold  him 
again  ?" 

"  Sir  Herbert  Haughton !"  repeated  Pierce ;  "  I  have  heard  the 
name  before :  you  seem  to  know  him,  then,  captain  ?'' 

"Ask  me  no  questions !"  replied  Stanford,  fiercely:  "do  I  know 
him  ?  yes,  yes  ;  but  why  should  his  unexpected  re-appearance  thus 
agitate  me?  I  have  him  now  in  my  power,  and — Fools!  why  do 
you  seek  to  restore  him  to  life  ?  Rather  let  my  knife  penetrate  his 
heart,  and  thus  I " 

As  the  villain  thus  spoke,  he  drew  a  dagger  from  his  belt,  and 
was  rushing  on  the  insensible  and  defenceless  man,  when  Pierce 
arrested  his  arm,  and,  drawing  him  aside,  he  said — 

"  Hold  ! — what  would  you  do  ?  Are  you  going  mad  altogether  ? 
You  know  this  man,  and  seem  to  have  reason  to  fear  him  ;  but  he 
is  in  yomr  power,  and  that  should  suffice  you.  Ah !  see,  he  re 
vives  !" 

The  unfortunate  man  did,  indeed,  recover ;  and,  raising  himself 
in  the  bed,  gazed  for  a  few  moments  wildly  and  vacantly  around 
him. 

"  Where  am  I  ?"  he  said  ;  "  still  in  the  midst  of  the  storm,  and 
•bout  to  rejoin  that  wife  and  child,  whom,  by  the  artifices  of  a  vil- 
;ain — a  fiend  in  human  shape — I  consigned  to  death?  No,  noi"  he 
added,  suddenly  springing  from  the  bed  with  much  more  strength 
than  could  have  been  expected  under  the  circumstances,  and  stand 
ing  erect  in  the  room ;  "  I  am  alive,  and  the  sense  of  reason,  so  long 
wandering,  again  dawns  upon  me.  Who  are  ye,  that  thus  surround 


JACK    JUNK  ;    OR, 

me?    Afr  !  do  my  eyes  deceive  me  ?   N6,  no!    Monster!  murderer 
I  know  vou,  rising  as  you  do,  like  some  ghastly  phantom,  before  my 
eyes;  and  I  will  have  retribution  in  your  life's  blood  !     Miscreant 
where  is  my  wife  ? — where  my  innocent  boy  ?      I,  Sir  Herbert 
Haughton,  whom  you  robbed — deceived,  am  here  to  confront  you, 
and  urns  will  I  tear  the  truth  from  your  throat!" 

As  he  thus  spoke,  he  sprang  like  a  tiger  upon  Mark  Stanford,  and 
attempted  to  seize  him  by  the  throat;  but  the  pirate  was  prepared 
for  him,  and  hurled  him  violently  away  to  the  farther  end  of  the 
room,  at  the  same  time  he  exclaimed — 

"  Rash  fool !  1  acknowledge  who  I  am — but  you  are  in  my  power, 
and  it  is  nothing  less  than  madness  to  offer  any  opposition  to  me. 
Secure  him,  and  bear  him  to  a  dungeon !" 

Pierce  Raker  attempted  to  do  so,  but  Sir  Herbert  struggled  with 
him  desperately,  and  succeeded  in  wresting  the  sword  from  his  hand, 
and  at  the  same  moment  he  plunged  it  in  his  body — and  Pierce, 
with  a  dreadful  oath,  fell  bleeding  on  the  floor. 

"  Ah  !"  he  exclaimed,  his  features  frightfully  distorted  ;  "  by  hell, 
I  am  slain!'' 

For  a  moment  or  so,  so  great  was  the  surprise  that  this  sudden 
and  unexpected  event  had  excited  in  the  mind  of  Mark  Stanford, 
that  he  stood  completely  astounded  and  speechless ;  and  Sir  Herbert, 
having  left  the  sword  in  the  body  of  Pierce,  who  was  writhing  in 
agony,  also  stood  as  if  paralyzed  to  the  spot,  and  gazed  wildly  around 
him. 

"Dastards!  knaves!"  at  length  cried  Stanford,  fiercely;  "will 
you  see  murder  committed,  without  resenting  it  ?  Seize  him,  I  say, 
or  by  the  infernal  hosl,  I  swear  that  every*  man  of  you  shall  swing 
like  a  dog,  before  the  lapse  of  an  hour !" 

"  Indeed  !"  returned  Sam  Barnford,  with  an  ironical  laugh  ;  "  but 
methinks  you  are  mistaken,  Master  Hugh  Granfield,  or  Mark  Stan 
ford.  Comrades,  remember  the  cold-blooded  murder  of  poor  Wil! 
Danston  !  Now  is  the  time  for  revenge  ! — Seize  the  tyrant  \" 

The  words  had  scarcely  escaped  his  lips  when  the  pirates  rushed 
upon  Stanford,  and,  disarming  him,  held  him  powerless  and  a  prison 
er;  at  the  same  time  they  raised  a  loud  shout  of  triumph,  which 
might  have  been  heard  all  over  the  building. 

"Have  all  the  fiends  of  hell  conspired  against  me?"  cried  the 
villain,  Stanford,  in  a  hoarse  voice;  "am  I  to  be  thus  defeated  ?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Pierce  Raker,  in  a  faint  voice,  "  our  career,  I  feel,  is 
at  an  end,  and  I  admit  the  justice  of  it." 

"Ah!"  exclaimed  Sir  Herbert,  advancing  towards  the  pirate  cap 
tain,  "  has  the  moment  I  have  so  long  panted  for  at  length  arrived  ? 
Do  I  triumph  ?     But  wretch  ! — monster ! — where  is  my  wife  and 
child,  whom  I  sacrificed  through  your  diabolical  means  ?" 

"  1  triumph  in  my  downfall !"  returned  Stanford,  a  fiendish  expres- 
sion  of  malice  at  the  same  time  overspreading  his  repulsive  feature* 


THE  TAR  FOR  ALL  WEATHERS.  109 

*  Sir  Herbert  Haughton,  the  wife  and  child  whom  you  so  deeply 
lament,  both  met  with  a  frightful  and  untimely  death." 

"Oh,  horrible!  horrible!"  ejaculated  the  unfortunate  baronet, 
clasping  his  forehead  in  despair;  "I  am  justly  punished  for  my  cru 
elty.  But  not  one  of  them  spared  ?" 

"Calm  yourself,  Sir  Herbert,"  said  Barnford,  "and  all  may  yet 
turn  out  better  than  you  now  anticipate.  See  to  Pierce,  comrades, 
and  look  to  your  prisoner — the  daring  and  much-dreaded  Rovef*  of 
the  Seas — Ha  !  ha  !  ha  '  I  will  return  to  you  anon." 

"  May  the  curse  of  hell  attend  you,  dog  !"  said  Stanford.  "  To  be 
thus  defeated  ! — Oh,  that  my  hands  were  at  liberty,  how  soon  would 
I  wreak  my  vengeance  on  your  head  !" 

"  No  doubt  of  it,  most  gallant  captain!"  replied  Barnford,  ironi 
cally  ;  "  but  I  do  not  intend  to  afford  you  the  opportunity,  depend 
upon  it !" 

Thus  saying,  he  quitted  the  room,  and  left  Pierce  Raker  writhing 
in  agony,  Mark  Stanford  furious  with  rage  and  terror,  and  Sir  Hev- 
bert  Haughton  lost  in  wonder  and  confusion. 

Our  hero,  in  his  dismal  place  of  confinement,  had  passed  man/ 
hours  of  the  most  indescribable  misery,  in  listening  to  the  voice  of  tha 
storm,  and  sleep  had  never  fora  moment  afforded  him  a  respite  from 
his  sufferings,  though  at  times  a  ray  of  hope  would  dawn  upon  h:>s 
mind — why  it  did  so,  he  could  not  imagine.  He  was  immersed  M 
the  most  gloomy  thoughts,  when  he  was  aroused  by  hearing  some 
one  ascending  the  stairs,  and  directly  afterwards  the  bolts  were 
withdrawn,  and  the  door  opening,  Sam  Barnford  appeared  before 
him. 

"  Ah  !"  said  Jack,  eagerly ;  "  what  brings  you  here  ?" 

"  To  communicate  news  to  you  that  I  think  will  afford  you  pleas- 
ure,"  replied  Barnford. 

"  Pleasure  !"  repeated  our  hero,  looking  at  him  incredulously  ;  "  do 
you  mock  me  ?" 

"  No — indeed,  I  do  not,"  replied  Barnford  ;  "  I  could  have  no  in 
terest  in  doing  so.  The  Black  Raven  has  been  cast  adrift  in  the 
storm  ;  myself  and  my  comrades  have  mutinied  against  Mark  Stan 
ford,  who  is  now  a  prisoner,  and  you  and  Kate  Markham  are  at 
liberty." 

"At  liberty!"  exclaimed  the  young  seaman,  in  accents  of  delight 
and  astonishment ;  "  is  it  possible  ?" 

"It  is  true,"  replied  Barnford;  "and,  moreover,  I  have  to  inform 
you  that  your  companion  upon  the  island  from  whence  we  took  you, 
and  who  is  known  as  Sir  Edward  Haughton,  has  been  saved  from, 
shipwreck,  and  is  below ;  no  doubt  you  will  be  glad  to  see  him." 

"  The  unfortunate  Herbert  also  restored  !"  ejaculated  our  hero  ; 
'  I  can  scarce  believe  the  evidence  of  my  senses ;  this  is,  indeed, 
most  wonderful.  But  my  beloved  Kate — shall  I  again  behold  her  ?" 

"  You  will,"  replied  Barnford,  "  and  that  in  a  few  minutes.     But, 


J  10  JACK    JUNK  J    OR, 

come — I  will  release  you  from  these  fetters,  and  then  I  will  get  you 
to  follow  me. — Methinks,  Mark  Stanford,  I  shall  well  have  avenged 
the  murder  of  Will  Danston." 

It  was  impossible  for  our  hero  to  give  adequate  expression-  to  the 
feelings  of  pleasure  and  gratitude  which  animated  his  breast, — so 
sudden,  so  unexpected,  and  remarkable  was  the  change ;  in  fact,  it 
seemed  to  him  more  like  a  dream  than  a  reality  ;  But  Barn  ford,  hav 
ing*  removed  the  irons  ftom  his  limbs,  conducted  him  from  the  plact 
in  which  he  had  been  confined,  and  led  him  to  the  apartment  of  our 
heroine.  But  how  shall  we  describe  the  meeting  between  the  lov 
ers  ?  Language  must  fail  entirely  to  do  it  justice,  and  we  will  there 
fore  pass  hastily  over  it.  When  they  had  in  some  measure  regained 
their  composure,  and  all  that  had  taken  place  had  been  explained  to 
our  heroine,  they  followed  Barnford  to  the  room  where  he  had  left 
the  defeated  Mark  Stanford,  Pierce,  and  Sir  Herbert.  The  pirate 
captain  had  been  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  was  giving  utterance  to 
the  most  fearful  maledictions;  Pierce  was  still  living,  but  in  a  most 
exhausted  state ;  and  Sir  Herbert  was  gazing  intently  upon  Stan 
ford,  and  so  deeply  wrapped  in  meditation,  that  he  did  not  notice  the 
entrance  of  Barnford  and  the  lovers ;  but  Stanford  no  sooner  be 
held  them  than  his  countenance  became  distorted  by  rage,  and  he 
again  gave  utterance  to  a  volley  of  the  most  frightful  imprecations. 
This  aroused  Sir  Herbert,  and  beholding  our  hero,  with  a  cry  of  as- 
tonishment  and  delight,  he  rushed  towards  him,  exclaiming: — 

"Ah!  do  my  eyes  deceive  me?  No;  by  Heaven,  'tis  the  com- 
panion  of  my  solitude — he  whom  I  used  to  delight  to  call  by  the 
name  of  son  !  Oh !  welcome ! — welcome  !  this  is,  indeed,  a  most 
joyous  meeting !" 

Our  hero  returned  his  greeting  with  equal  ardor  and  sincerity,  and 
it  was  some  time  before  either  of  them  could  speak  a  word  ;  whilst 
Mark  Stanford  gazed  on  with  all  the  deadly  malice  of  a  fiend. 

"  But  these  features  !"  at  length  said  Sir  Herbert,  gazing  earnestly 
on  the  countenance  of  our  hero  ;  "  there  is  an  expression  about  them 
that  goes  immediately  to  my  heart — tell  me,  who  are  you  ?" 

"  A  mere  humble  sailor,  Sir  Herbert,"  answered  Jack  ;  "  but,  I 
trust,  an  honest  man. — And  this  is  my  Kate — my  beloved,  innocent 
Kate,  whom  that  lubber  would  have  consigned  to  destruction." 

"Yes,  yes,"  said  Sir  Herbert,  impatiently,  and  still  keeping  his 
eyes  fixed  steadfastly  upon  our  hero ;  "  but  your  name  ?  your  name  ?" 

"  They  call  me  Jack  Junk,"  answered  the  young  seaman ;  "  but  1 
never  knew  my  parents." 

"  No  ?"  said  Sir  Herbert,  with  a  look  of  astonishment,  and  anxious 
curiosity. 

"  'Tis  true,"  said  our  hero ;  "  I  was  found  at  sea — rescued  from  a 
burning  vessel,  supposed  to  be  the  Mary  ;  I  was  clasped  to  the  breast 
of  her  who,  I  have  every  reason  to  believe,  was  my  mother ;  I  was 
»aved  b}  him  from  whom  I  haT*e  taken  my  name,  and  another  hon- 


THE    TAR    FOR    ALL    WEATHERS.  Ill 

est   seaman  named  Joe  Trennant ;  but  the  vital  spark  had  quitted 
that  unfortunate  being  who  bore  me." 

"Good  God!"  ejaculated  Sir  Herbert,  with  the  most  powerfu' 
emotion;  "how  wonderful  is  the  coincidence.  Can  it  be? — M} 
wife  and  infant  boy  were  on  board  the  Alary,  through  the  base 
means  of  that  brutal  miscreant;  that  vessel  I  afterwards  heard  was 
lost,  and  that  every  soul  on  board  of  her  had  perished.  It  was  then 
'hat  madness  seized  upon  my  brain,  and  I  abandoned  my  property 
b.-;th  in  the  Indies  and  England,  and  fled  to  the  island  on  which  you 
found  me.  Strange  hopes  and  emotions  agitate  my  bosom  ;  tell  me, 
young  man,  I  beseech  you,  and  as  quickly  as  possible,  how  long  is 
it  since  you'  were  found  in  the  manner  you  have  described  ?" 

"From  what  I  have  been  informed,"  answered  our  hero,  "it  is  now 
about  three  and  twenty  years  ago." 

"  By  Heaven  !"  exclaimed  Sir  Herbert,  still  more  agitated  than 
before;  "it  is  the  very  time.  Oh,  my  beloved,  much  injured,  and 
i.l  fated  wife  !  But  this  suspense  is  insupportable  ;  tell  me,  was  any 
thing  found  upon  you  by  which  your  identity  might  be  established  ?" 

"Yes,"  answered  our  hero,  equally  agitated  ;  "  the  clothes  I  had  on 
at  the  time  are  still  preserved,  and  a  small  silver  locked  was  sus 
pended  from  my  neck." 

;,'  Have  you  that  locket  by  you  ?"  demanded  Sir  Herbert,  breath 
lessly. 

"I  have,"  replied  our  hero,  producing  it ;  "it  is  here  !" 

"  God  of  heaven  !"  exclaimed  the  baronet,  with  a  burst  of  the  most 
indescribable  emotion,  as  he  gazed  upon  it,  "  it  is  true  ;  this  is  proof 
sufficient ;  you  are  my  son,  my  Everard,  preserved  in  the  most  mi 
raculous  way  to  console  me  in  my  declining  davs!  Son!  son!  oh, 
God!" 

"  Father !  dear  Father !  may  I,  indeed  call  you  by  that  blessed, 
that  revered  name?"  exclaimed  our  hero,  and  he  rushed  into  the 
arms  of  that  parent  whom  he  never  expected  to  behold.  We  must 
leave  the  scene  which  foJlowed  to  the  imagination  of  the  reader. 

"D — n!"  cried  the  infuriated  Mark  Stanford,  ''am  I  to  be  foiled 
every  way  ?" 

"  Yes,"  .said  Pierce,  in  a  faint  voice ;  "  our  career  is  at  an  end, 
and  now  I  feel  the  justice  of  the  doom  which  has  overtaken  us. — I 
— I  am  dying,  and  I  will  therefore  make  a  clean  breast  of  it.  Kate 
Markham,  your  father  met  not  with  a  natural  death  ;  he  was  doomed 
to  walk  the  plank  by  Mark  Stanford  or  Hugh  Granfield,  as  his  right 
name  is ;  I  murdered  your  uncle,  and  old  Reuben  of  the  Cliff,  who 
knew  all  Granfield's  secrets,  ana " 

Before  he  could  finish  the  sentence,  Pierce  Raker,  with  one  fear 
ful  groan  of  agony,  expired.  Kate  uttered  a  shriek  of  horror,  and 
fell  insensible  in  the  arms  of  her  lover  ;  and  here  we  will  drop  a  veil 

over  the  scene  which  followed. 

**  ****** 


112  JACK    JUNK. 

We  should  become  tedious  were  we  to  dilate  upon  our  story  ;  hut 
a  few  more  words,  and  we  have  done.  In  three  days  after  the  re 
markable  events  we  have  just  recorded,  an  English  vessel  put  in  nt 
the  island  for  fresh  water,  and  received  the  whole  inmates  of  tlie 
pirates*  haunt  on  board. — Mark  Stanford,  whose  fortitude,  at  the 
certainty  of  the  fate  which  awaited  him,  had  entirely  forsook  him. 
being  detained  a  close  prisoner;  and  they  were  soon  on  their  way 
to  England,  which  they  reached  in  a  lew  weeks.  The  meeting 
which  took  place  between  them  and  Constance,  who  had  but  re 
cently  recovered  her  senses,  may  be  well  imagined  ;  as  for  poor  old 
Joe  Trennant,  he  was  in  perfect  ecstacies,  more  especially  when  he 
found  that  his  boy — his  favourite  Jack  Junk,  had  discovered  his 
parent,  and  that  he  was  the  son  of  a  wealthy  baronet. 

Sir  Herbert  Haughton  had  no  difficulty  in  arranging  his  affairs, 
and  he  and  his  son,  and  Kate  Markham  and  her  cousin,  Constance, 
went  to  reside  in  his  splendid  mansion,  which  was  situated  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood,  which,  from  old  associations,  was  so  dear 
to  them. 

Sam  Barnford  and  the  other  pirates  were  pardoned,  but  the  vil 
lain,  Hugh  Granfield,  suffered  an  ignominious  death  upon  the  scaf 
fold.  Nothing  more  was  ever  heard  of  the  Black  Raven,  so  that 
there  could  be  little  doubt  that  she  perished  in  the  storm.  » 

In  a  few  months  our  hero  led  his  faithful  Kate  to  the  altar,  and 
the  auspicious  event  was  celebrated  with  becoming  magnificence. 
To  add  to  the  universal  joy,  the  lover  of  Constance,  who  had  been 
for  several  years  detained  a  prisoner  abroad,  suddenly  returned  t<» 
his  native  place,  and  their  sentiments  having  undergone  no  change, 
they  were  happily  united,  Sir  Herbert  bestowing  a  handsome  mar 
riage  portion  on  the  bride,  as  a  reward  for  her  numerous  virtues. — 
Margaret  was  taken  into  the  service  of  our  heroine,  and  remained 
her  faithful  attendant  till  her  death,  which  did  not  take  place  for 
many  years.  Our  hero  in  a  short  time  was  promoted  to  the  com 
mand  of  a  vessel,  and  remained  as  he  had  always  proved  himself  tc 
be 'THE  TAR  FOE  ALL  WEATHERS  !' 


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